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SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG, 



OTHER POEMS. 



ALFRED J. HOUGH, 

MENISTER OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 



BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR. 

J. BENT AND COMPANY. 

1874. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1374, 

Br REV. ALFRED J. HOUGH, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



Stereotyped and printed by Band, Avery, <£ Co., Boston. 



The author has endeavored, in the remoulding of Solo- 
mon's Song, to sing for Jesus, and to produce such a vol- 
ume as shall make an acceptable addition to the collections 
of sacred melodies used in the various services of the 
Church of Christ. 



CONTENTS. 



SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

Page. 

The Song of Songs 9 

The Kiss of Jesus 1 1 

The Love of Jesus 12 

The Name of Jesus 13 

Man condemned by Angels 14 

Hasting to find Jesus 15 

Guests of the King 16 

Rejoicing in Jesus 17 

Remembering Jesus 18 

The Lord our Righteousness 20 

Bearing Reproach for Jesus 21 

Denying Self for Others. — The Pastor .... 22 

The Pastor's Confession 23 

Where feedest Thou? 24 

The Noontide Rest 25 

Darkness 28 

Forsaking Jesus ......... 29 

Follow the Good 30 

The Children for Jesus. — Future Triumphs ... 31 

Strength and Beauty of the Church 32 

Love's Offering 33 

The Preciousness of Jesus 34 

Faithfulness. — The Great Restorative . . . -35 

Changed 36 

The Church in the World -37 

The House of God. — The Loveliness of Jesus ... 38 

Christ Pre-eminent 39 

Under the Cross 40 

Holy Living '. . . 41 

Home at Last 42 

Love's Banner 43 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Over-Joy 44 

Divine Support and Protection 46 

Behold, He cometh ! 48 

Sorrow Past. — Following Jesus 50 

Tokens of Love 51 

A Time of Joy 52 

Sabbath-School Revival. — Little Sins 54 

In the Rock I'm hiding 55 

The Desire of Jesus. — Mine and His 57 

Christ and his Lilies 58 

Waiting for the Dawn 59 

Seeking Rest in Seclusion ....... 61 

Found . . .62 

Seeking Rest in the World 63 

The Coming of Love ........ 64 

The King's Army 66 

Watchfulness. — Holding on to Jesus 67 

Spotless 68 

Waiting near the Cross 69 

Look away to Jesus. — The Power of one Pure Heart . . 70 

The Acceptable Offering 71 

The Work of Love 72 

The Enclosed Garden j$ 

The Plants and Pleasant Fruits 74 

The Fountain 75 

Blow, Spirit, Blow ! — Welcome to Jesus .... 76 

The Spirit and the Bride yj 

The Sorrows of Sin 82 

Seeking a Lost Saviour 83 

The Chiefest 84 

The Altogether Lovely. — Gathered Lilies .... 85 

She cometh as the Morning 91 

Resting Unawares 92 

Who is She that looketh forth as the Morning ? . . 93 

Lift me up, O Jesus '94 

Going forth with Jesus 95 

Leaning on the Arm of Jesus 96 



CONTENTS. 



OTHER POEMS. 



Page. 

Holy Fear 101 

Transforming Power of Prayer. — Talking of Calvary . 102 

Jesus Only 103 

Good to be Here 104 

Shut in 106 

The Closet Hour 107 

Away to the Mercy-Seat 108 

Three Times a Day 109 

Cast me not away from thy Presence. — Seeking Jesus . no 

Waiting on the Lord ill 

Cast thy Burden on the Lord 112 

Peace 113 

The Prisoner's Sigh 114 

Love's Question 115 

Trust in God 116 

Words of Comfort. — Glory to the Nazarene . . .117 

Morning Song 118 

Evening Psalm 119 

Longings. — Hymn of Consecration 121 

Obedience 123 

Our Father which art in Heaven 124 

Be still, Poor Heart 125 

Jesus, take me Home 126 

Lost Joy 127 

A Sweet Confession 128 

Safety of the Good. — The Challenge of a Pure Heart . 129 

Perfect Peace 130 

Secret Faults 131 

The Lord's Secret 132 

Pleasant Places 133 

The Touch of Faith 134 

The Fatal Delay 135 

The Prodigal Son 136 

Rest amidst Unrest 147 

Soul Breathings 148 

Rest, Rest ! — If 'twern't for the Grace of God . . . 149 

Gethsemane 150 

Thy Will, not Mine 153 

The River of Life • . . .154 

Mary Magdalene 155 

Sorrow and Joy 156 



CONTENTS. 



P.AGE. 

Remember Me 157 

The Wondrous on Before .158 

The Desired Haven 159 

Sabbath Eve 160 

Even so, Come, Lord Jesus! .... . 161 

The Birthplace of a Soul. — The Power of Faith . . 162 
The Young Ruler . . . . . . . .163 

The Guide and Goal . . ." 165 

Stone Troubles 166 

Waiting at the Pool 167 

I passed down the Valley they say is so Lone . . .168 

David's Cure for a Faint Heart 169 

Consolation in Christ. — Light at Eventide . . . .170 

In the Strange Darkness. — Christ needs a Working Church 172 

Incomprehensible Wealth 174 

The Glorious Declaration 175 

A Great Deep 176 

Near God. — Waiting for the Angel 177 

God knows 178 

Man impeached by Nature 180 

The Death of Time 187 

U.S.A., 1873 188 

Day 190 

Night 191 

Jesus of Nazareth passes by 193 

The Ministry of Angels 194 

Lightened by Looking 196 

Language of Davs 197 

What of the Night ? 198 

And yet there is Room 199 

What wilt thou do in the Swelling of Jordan ? 200 

Rare Knowledge. — The Testimony 201 

Patient Waiting 202 

Wrath of God and the Lamb ...... 203 

Immortality of the Soul ....... 204 



SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



'THE SONG OF SONGS." 



To Christ the highest praise belongs 

In earth, or heaven above ; 
And he who sings this song of songs 

Must sing redeeming love. 

Of nothing higher could we sing, 

Of nothing deeper dream ; 
And harps which heavenly anthems ring 

Have found no brighter theme. 

He died for love of thee, my soul, — 

To hide thy guilty wrongs ; 
Now let thy sweetest numbers roll, 

And sin^ this sons; of sons:s. 



10 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



O Jesus, Jesus ! spotless Lamb ! 
And didst thou die for me ? 
Now all I have, and all I am, 
I offer up to thee. 

And didst thou wear the thorny crown 

To be my hope and trust ? 
Low at thy feet I now bow down, 

And worship in the dust. 

And didst thou come from heaven above ? 

The dead to life restore ? 
Oh, boundless depths and heights of love, 

Surround me evermore ! 

O Jesus, Jesus ! to thy side 

For refuge now I flee, 
And hide, O precious Saviour ! hide 

All but thyself from me ! 



O Cross of glory and of grace ! 

Thou dost salvation give I 
A loving, bleeding, d}ing face 

We see, and seeing, live. 

O Cross of gloiy ! let thy beams 

The fuller light impart ; 
O Blood of cleansing ! let thy streams 

Now sanctify the heart. 



THE KISS OF JESUS. 11 

O Cross of glory ! while we sing. 

O'er all completely reign, 
That we to thee may closer cling, 

And never sin again. 

Cross of glory and of grace ! 

Thou dost salvation give ; 
And all our lost and ruined race 

May look to thee and live. 



THE KISS OF JESUS. 

"Let Him Ids* inc.'" 

Kiss of Jesus is forgiving- 
All the wrong the soul has wrought ; 

Leading it to hoi} 7 living, 
Filling it with hoh~ thought ; 

Changing all to snowy whiteness 
Sin had darkened with its stain, 

Brightening with heavenly brightness 
Life, and making death a gain. 

Kiss of Jesus is the blessing 

Of a Father's smiling face ; 
When the prodigal, confessing, 

Comes to ask the lowest place, 
Feels the kiss of lips forgiving, 

Wounding only with a smile, 
Though he had spent all his living 

With the vilest of the vile. 



12 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

THE LOVE OF JESUS. 

" Thy love is better than wine." 

Wine a moment cheers the sad : 
Love of Jesus maketh glad 
All the life, and still doth fold 
Spirit round when lips are cold. 

Sunlight which can never fade, 
Shelter which no storms invade, 
Healing for each wounded breast, 
Haven where the weary rest. 

Love of Jesus, love divine, 
Better far than choicest wine : 
Light and life it cloth impart 
To the worn and weary heart. 

Brightest when the clouds appear ; 
Nearest when the storms are near ; 
Sweetest when the cross we take, 
Leaving all for Jesus' sake. 

Nothing shall its brightness dim, 
If we love and follow him, 
Who, to bless us with his love, 
Died, and intercedes above. 



THE NAME OF JEsUS. 13 

THE NAME OF JESUS. 

' Thy name is as ointment poured forth." 



Thy name, Lord ! doth lustre shed, 
As ointment poured upon the head ; 
And he who feels its saving grace 
Will wear the glory in his face. 

As ointment gives to death life-bloom, 
Thy name prepares us for the tomb ; 
And by its power we shall arise 
When thunders shake the earth and skies. 

As ointment health to wound unseals, 
Thy name a world of sorrow heals ; 
And wounds which baffled skill and fame 
Heal at the mention of tlrv name. 

Oh ! help us each who know its worth, 
To pour thy love as ointment forth, 
And to a wounded world proclaim 
The healing virtue of thy name. 



Jesus, thy name is all our trust, 

We have no hope beside. 
Through thee at last our mouldering dust 

Will all be glorified. 
Oh ! teach us now by faith to claim 
Each promise through thy mighty name. 



14 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

We seek no love, dear Lord, but thine ; 

We can no higher rise ; 
And where tlry beams of mere} 7 shine, 

Alone is paradise. 
Oh may we now and ever see 
That paradise regained ~by thee ! 

There is no solid ]oj below, 
Where death and sorrow meet ; 

There is no place of rest, we know, 
But sitting at thy feet. 

Oh ! give us all that blessed rest, 

First at thy feet, then on thy breast. 



MAN CONDEMNED BY ANGELS. 

"The virgins love Thee." 

If love from angels Christ doth win, 
How must their love condemn ? 

He only died for human sin, 
He never died for them. 

The}' stand before his wounds and gaze ; 

They talk of Calvary's hill, 
And fill eternity with praise, 

While all the world is still. 

They see the scars of nail and spear, 
Which tell of sorrow's weight ; 

And love him with a love more dear, 
While man alone doth hate. 



HASTING TO FIND JESUS. 15 

They talk of Christ with hoi}' pride — 

How he was lowly born ; 
While man, for whom he lived and died, 

Doth mention him with scorn. 



When to the judgment nations go, 
And we appear with them, 

The love for Jesus angels show 
Will all the world condemn. 



HASTING TO FIND JESUS. 

"We will run after Thee." 

Judgmext-day, with storm and blast, 
On before its shadows cast ; 
Earth no shelter doth provide, 
Where the guilty soul ma} r hide. 
Jesus gives a refuge sweet : 
We are hastinsr to his feet. 



In his presence there is peace, 
At his bidding sorrows cease : 
Stain of sin and shade of fear 
Vanish when his wounds sppear. 
With our garments crimson dyed, 
We are hastine: to his side. 



16 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

When he called, we gave no heed, 
Answered not, nor felt our need ; 
Now all helpless, lost, undone, 
After Jesus swift we run : 
Weary,. shelterless, and cold, 
We are hasting to his fold. 

Come ! escape eternal loss ; 
Run with us to reach the cross ; 
Guilty soul, no more delay : 
Shadows of the judgment-day 
Fall around us ! swiftly fly 
To the cross while it is nigh. 



GUESTS OF THE KING. 

" The King hath brought me into his chambers." 

How sweet to be the guest 

Of Jesus and his bride ! 
The} T brought me from the world to rest 

In chambers cool and wide. 

Here in this cool retreat, 

Perfumed by praise and prayer, 

I sit before the Master's feet, 
And learn his wisdom there. 

This is the secret place, 

Where all the holy dwell, 
Who fullest drink of saving grace, 

And love the Saviour well. 



REJOICING IN JESUS. 17 

They have forsaken all 

The world and sinful lust : 
They answered to the Saviour's call, 

And trust with perfect trust. 

No shade of fear or doubt 

Can cross the sacred rooms ; 
And all the garden round about 

With hope and comfort blooms. 

Here all who will ma}- come ; 

They call it perfect rest : 
The Saviour hath prepared the home, 

And faith prepares the guest. 



REJOICING IN JESUS. 

"We will be glad and rejoice in Thee." 

Awake, 1113' soul ! why art thou sad ? 
Rejoice in Jesus, and be glad : 
Though worlds may roll in fire above, 
He will surround thee with his love. 

Rejoice in Jesus ! he is strong 
To shield the right, and crush the wrong ; 
His love for thee hath bound nor end : 
In life, in death, he is thy Friend. 

Rejoice in Jesus ! \>y his pain 
Thou shalt the life eternal gain ; 
For thee he suffered, heart and limb : 
Rejoice, my soul ! rejoice in him. 



18 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

Lay all thy mourning robes aside ; 
For thee the Saviour lived and died ; 
And when he comes to earth again, 
Thou shalt with him rejoice and reign. 



REMEMBERING JESUS. 

" We will remember Thy love. 1 ' 
I. 

What heart in human bosom set, 
The love of Jesus can forget? 
Who, that has heard for whom he died, 
Forgotten, lays that love aside ? 

O Jesus ! in this sacred hour, 
We celebrate thy saving power ; 
Remember now, with grateful hearts, 
The comfort sweet thy love imparts. 

No spot on earth is half so blest 
As that where love of thine gave rest ; 
And we beheld with tearful eyes 
A pathway open to the skies. 

It was tlry love which freedom gave, 
When earthly power could shield nor save ; 
It is thy love which lights the gloom 
Around the portals of the tomb. 



REMEMBERING JESUS. 19 

Remembering thy love, we bow 
Before thy feet, and bless thee now ; 
And till thy face in light we see, 
With love we shall remember thee. 



Loving him whose blood was shed, 
Take we now the wine and bread ; 
"With "the hallowed cross in view, 
Vows of purity renew : 
Thou from sin didst set us free ; 
Lord, we do remember thee. 

We remember now the da} T 
When our sins were washed awa}' ; 
See the wounded side which blest 
Heart and soul with perfect rest. 
Lord, and can it ever be, 
We should cease to think of thee ? 

While we take the bread and wine, 
Fill our hearts with light divine ; 
Tasting emblems of thy love, 
Raise our thoughts to heaven above : 
Till thy face in bliss we see, 
May we still remember thee ! 



Who can describe the bitter cup, 
Filled with our nature's dross ? 

All language fails when we take up 
The story of the cross. 



20 SOLOMON'S SONG HE-SUNG. 

As we think o'er the painful years 
Endured bj T our dear Lord, 

We tell the story with our tears, 
But cannot speak a word. 

Remembering thy toil and pain, 
Dear Saviour, we would not 

Re-open thy deep wounds again 
By sinful word or thought. 

If we deny the Saviour's name, 
His hallowed cross disown, 

We put him to an open shame 
Before his Father's throne. 

But let us prove by word and deed, 
We choose that better part ; 

Nor cause the Saviour's side to bleed, 
Nor wound the Saviour's heart. 



THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

"I am black, but comely.'" 

Nought of merit we possess, 
Jesus is our righteousness : 
Moons with borrowed glory roll, 
So through Jesus shines the soul. 
Black we are when wandering wide, 
We are cornel}' at his side. 



BEARING REPROACH FOR JESUS. 21 

All the righteousness we own 
Came from Christ, and him alone ; 
He hath robed us in the dress 
Of his own pure righteousness. 
Though so black, beneath its light 
We are comely in his sight. 



BEARING REPROACH FOR JESUS. 

u 31}- mother's children were angry with me." 

Though brother, sister, friends, forsake, 
The cross of Jesus I will take ; 
Though kindred hearts with anger burn, 
I dare not from the Saviour turn. 

I well can bear the scorn a while 
If Jesus cheers me with his smile ; 
Undaunted meet a frowning host, 
And pray for those who scorn the most. 

Alone the cross my Saviour bore, 
Alone the thorny crown he wore ; 
The world oppressed, disciples fled, 
And strangers begged his body, dead. 

I follow where my Saviour trod, 
Though scorned of men, beloved of God : 
On earth I share with him the frown, 
Hereafter wear with him the crown. 



22 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



DENYING SELF FOR OTHERS. 

" They made me keeper of the vineyards ; hut mine own 
vineyard have I not kept." 

My soul has soared to heaven above, 
And caught its breathings glad, 

For others sung of hope and love, 
When heart of mine was sad. 

I've tended vineyards all around, 
While they who owned them slept ; 

And in the end have sadly found 
My vineyard was not kept. 

But loving man is loving God, 

And loving self is sin : 
The heart that sheds its love abroad 

More blessing gathers in. 

Denying self for others' weal 

Is bearing Jesus' cross ; 
To live, and not for others feel, 

Is an eternal loss. 



THE PASTOR. 

" They made me keeper of the vineyards. 1 ' 

This vineyard God hath given, 
And great the weight I bear, 

To guard the ripened fruit for heaven, 
And tend the vines with care. 



THE PASTOR'S CONFESSION. 23 



Here to the Living Vine 

We graft the old and 3"oung ; 

And infant tendrils gently twine 
Where ripened fruits are hung. 

The Living Vine its shade 

Doth o'er the vineyard cast, 
That bud and blossom may not fade 

Beneath the storm and blast. 

It life to all supplies, 

And never can exhaust : 
No branch for lack of nurture dies, 

Nor vine is ever lost. 

I cannot toil alone, 

Nor give to all my care : 
The church must make the work its own, 

And each a burden bear. 

Then Christ will say, " Well done ! " 

His blessing sweet impart, 
If every great and lowly one 

Will nobly do his part. 



THE PASTOR'S CONFESSION. 

"Mine own vineyard have I not kept." 

Thy fruitful life, O Lord, impart, 
For barren, barren, is my heart : 
Before thy cross I sadly mourn, 
Too little fruit my life has borne. 



24 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

The ceaseless toil, the weight of care, 
Has wounded faith and weakened prayer : 
That others ripened fruit might gain, 
My vineyard has neglected lain. 

Reveal, Lord ! thy boundless love, 
Send light and cleansing from above ; 
And draw me near the merc3'-seat, 
To lay my burdens at thy feet. 

Forgive the past, the future bless, 
Thy servant's vine3'ard newly dress ; 
That to thy glory and tlxy praise 
Rich fruit ma}' crown the coming da}'s. 



WHERE FEEDEST THOU? 

" Tell me, thou whom my soul loveth, whore thou feedest." 

Where feedest thou? with angels bright, 
On shores of rest, by seas of light? 
Where deathless blossoms shed perfume 
O'er white robed guests and banquet room ? 

Oh tell me, in what court above 
Thou feedest, whom my soul doth love ! 
That I may see thy table spread, 
And gather crumbs of living bread. 

With angels Jesus doth not feed ; 
But all the poor who feel their need, 
And contrite hearts with sorrow crowned, 
Are feastino- at his table found. 



THE X 00 X TIDE REST. 25 

The outcast, sinful, crimson dyed 
Doth Jesus welcome to his side ; 
With all "who trust, of every creed, 
The Saviour comes, unseen, to feed. 

To every contrite heart he brings 
A pleasant feast of heavenly things ; 
And all on earth who taste his love 
Shall feast with him in heaven above. 



THE NOONTIDE REST. 

" Thou makcst tliy flock to rest at noon. 1 ' 



Amidst the noon of toil and care, 
The Lord a rest provides, 

Where all the flocks together share 
Its cooling shades and tides. 

When heat of conflict fiercest burns, 
The church is sore opprest, 

Then Christ the tide of battle turns, 
And gives his people rest. 

The toiler seeks at noon the shade, 
Secure from scorching sun : 

So hath the cross a shadow made 
For every weary one. 



26 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

O weary ones ! in noontide heat. 

Borne down by grief and care, 
Turn to the Saviour's rest so sweet, - 

Refresh yourselves with prayer. 



Rest is found in sitting lowly 
At the feet of wounded love ; 

Learning to be pure and holy, 
As the sainted hosts above. 



Laying down the things that please us, 
Dogmas, form, and classic scrolls, 

Taking up the } T oke of Jesus 

Brings sweet rest unto our souls. 



Rest is found in the forgiving 

Wrongs, a bosom friend has wrought ; 
Aud through all our future, living 

Just as though he'd wronged us not. 

Every morning, heart engages 

For a glad or tearful way ; 
Each to-morrow brings the wages 

For the deeds of yesterday. 

Hearts indulge in light behavior, 

Cherish thoughts that please them best, 

Then, at evening, ask the Saviour 
For the blessed gift of rest ; 



THE XOOXTIDE LEST. 

Wonder why the}' don't obtain it, 
Blame the preacher, church, and hell, 

When the only way to gain it 
Is to serve the Saviour well. 



Watchmen, are yon growing weary, 

Watching night and watching da}'? 
Do the hours seem long and dreary, 

Till the shadows clear away ? 
Grasp the standard, hold it tighter, 

Meet the Toe midst shot and shell ; 
Heavenly rest will be the lighter 

If 3 r on do your duty well. 

Burdened hearts, b} r sorrow shaken, 

Left alone in tears to grieve, 
By the friends of }'outh forsaken, 

Whom 3'on dreamed would never leave ; 
Let j'onr hopes be centred only 

On the Saviours changeless love ; 
There's a rest for all the lonehy 

In the heavenly home above. 

Christian, are thy crosses growing 

Heavier, and the journey long ? 
Art thou saddened with the knowing 

Right is conquered b} T the wrong ? 
Strive a little longer, bearing 

All, though drooping spirits mourn ; 
Crowns will be more w r orth the wearing 

If the cross is nobly borne. 



28 SOLOMON'S SONG BESTING. 

Brothers, sisters, toiling, praying, 

Seeking for the higher rest, 
Oh the joy of weary, laying 

Ever on the Saviour's breast ; 
Where the parted friends are meeting, 

Never more to parted be, 
Where the angels shout their greeting 

All across the crystal sea. 

Here is but the time of testing, 

Time of battle, tears, and pain : 
There the joy of sweetly resting, 

Never more to toil again. 
Let us, then, bear all the sorrow 

God shall deem it wise and best ; 
Soon will dawn the glorious morrow, 

With its sweet, eternal rest. 



DARKNESS. 

" Why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks 
of thy companion* ? " 

The Christian, with affliction tried, 
Ma} T seem as one that turns aside 
From duty's path, — may see the dawn 
Of God's approving smile withdrawn. 

Amidst the flocks, b} 7 Jesus led, 
He hungers, while the rest are fed ; 
And seeing jo}*s to him denied, 
He feels as one that turns aside. 



FOJRSAKIXG JESUS. 29 



Such times of darkness have opprest 
The hearts that love the Saviour best ; 
And midst the shadows rudely tossed, 
The}' dreamed that heaven and all were lost. 

"Why shouldst thou seem as one that turns, 
While love for Jesus in thee burns ? 
Why, with companions thou hast known, 
Dost feel a stranger and alone? 

The shadows on thy spirit thrust 
Are onty sent to try tlrv trust ; 
And Christ reveals the morning light 
To all who follow through the night. 



FORSAKING JESUS. 

"One that turneth aside." 

To leave the Saviour's wounded side 

Is leaving all that's best ; 
On seas of anguish drifting wide 

From everlasting rest. 

Can trump of fame make pure the heart ? 

Can gold supply the loss ? 
Or homage of a world impart 

The comfort of the cross? 

He loses rest who looks behind ; 

He loses life who turns 
From the Redeemer of mankind, 

And all his mercy spurns. 



30 SOLOMON'S SONG BE-SUNG. 

Forsake temptations round thee thrown, 
From every bondage break ; 

Forsake the dearest idol known, 
But never Christ forsake. 



FOLLOW THE GOOD. 

" Go thy way by the footsteps of the flock." 

Follov* sect, nor follow creed, 
Lean upon no broken reed 
Human wisdom brings to lure 
Heart from following the pure. 

Ages cannot hide from view 
Footsteps of the good and true ; 
Safe through martyr fires they trod, 
Finding rest while serving God. 

Follow men, who midst the flame 
Sung a world-redeeming name ; 
Stood the test of fire and sword, 
Rather than betra}- their Lord. 

Follow men, who for the cross 
Suffered every earthly loss, — 
Living, dying*, sung the theme, 
Jesus ! mighty to redeem ! 

Follow, follow where they lead ; 
Jesus doth such heroes need, 
That his banner, crimson-dyed, 
May be carried far and wide. 



THE CHILDREN FOR JESUS. 31 

THE CHILDREN FOR JESUS. 

"Feed thy kids by the shepherds' tent-."* 

The children for Jesus ! Oh ! cany them in 
To his tents, that shepherds may shield them from 

sin ; 
Let them feed with the pure, the true, and the good, 
On a gospel of life, the heavenly food. 

TJtie children for Jesus ! he waits to impart 

The wisdom which cleanses, to each youthful 

heart ; 
On earth he embraced them, and waits now above, 
To welcome them all to the banquet of love. 

The children for Jesus ! each little one bring, 
Of Jesus to learn and of Jesus to sing ; 
The Lord did not die for the learned and few, — 
He died for the great, and the little ones too. 

The children for Jesus ! Oh ! gather them in, 
For under the cross they are shielded from sin : 
If none are too young to pass over death's tide, 
Then none are too young to know Jesus has died. 



FUTURE TRIUMPH. 

' We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. 1 

The Saviour will hereafter crown 
What he in us has wrought ; 

And on our spirits shower down 
Rich blessings, passing thought. 



32 SOLOMON'S SONG HE-SUNG. 

We taste his mercy here in part ; 

But near his throne above, 
He will bestow on every heart 

Eternal weight of love. 

The gold and silver of his grace 
Will on our garments gleam, 

When we behold the loving face 
Which sorrowed to redeem. 

Here ample feasts the Spirit serves, 

Of mere}' and of love ; 
Yet gold and silver he reserves 

For banquet-rooms above. 



STRENGTH AND BEAUTY OF THE 
CHURCH. 

" I have compared thee, O my love! to a company of horses in 
Pharaoh's chariots." 

Press onward, Church of God most high ! 
Thy chariot wheels should swifter fly ! 
Thy strength and beauty God has given 
To win and take the world for heaven. 

Sweep through the land, its breadth and length ! 
The Lord of Hosts shall be thy strength ! 
Thrill all the world with strains of peace, 
Till eveiy sound of discord cease. 



LOVE'S OF FEE IX'.t. 33 

AYith love's own beauty thou canst win 
Each wayward heart, forgiving sin ; 
In Jesus' strength go forth, and free 
This world, for that which is to be. 

Fl}', chariot, fly ! and bear afar 
A holy band for hoi}' war ; 
Thy messages of peace proclaim, 
Till all rejoice in Jesus' name. 



LOVE'S OFFERING. 



Bowed at the feet of Jesus, low, 
My humble praises sweetly How ; 
He smells the odor all the while, 
And deigns to bless me with a smile. 

Beneath the sunbeams and the showers, 
All fragrant grow the gentle flowers : 
So 'neath the smile of Jesus' face, 
Doth fragrant grow each bloom of grace. 

And Christian hearts in praise and pra}-er 
G ive back what Christ hath planted there ; 
The more they give, the more they fill, 
And giving all are fragrant still. 

The odor of the grateful heart 
A jo}' to Jesus doth impart ; 
And more acceptable shall rise 
Than fragrant gales from paradise. 



34 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

THE PRECIOUSNESS OF JESUS. 

"A bundle of niyrrh is my well-beloved unto me." 

What strength of love, "what healing balm, 

The name of Jesus bears ; 
Surrounding heart and soul with calm, 

Amidst a world of cares. 

When thoughts of sin break our repose, 

And tears of sorrow fall, 
The blood of Jesus gently flows, 

And sweetlj- whitens all. 

How precious in affliction's hour, 

To know the Saviour chose 
The weight of pain's oppressing power, 

That he might heal our woes. 

How precious to the wounded breast, 
Which from the tempter flies, 

To find that peaceful, sheltered rest 
The love of Christ supplies. 

How precious, eveiy step we take, 

O'er life's uneven way, 
To know that Jesus, for our sake, 

In heaven doth ever pray, 

How precious, when at death's cold tide, 
We sink, with fear oppressed, 

To find the Saviour at our side, 
And pass with him to rest. 



FAITHFULNESS. 35 

FAITHFULNESS. 

"lie shall lie all night betwixt my breasts." 

When shadows fall, and sunbeams Hoc, 

Jesus ! still abide with me ; 
Depart not with departing day, — 

1 need thee most when dark the way. 

Though lost to sight, I shall rejoice 
To hear the music of thy voice ; 
And safely reach the morning land, 
If through the dark thou hold my hand. 

Abide, O Saviour ! be my guest, 
With thee alone my heart can rest : 
I feel, in darkest hour, no fear, 
And welcome death, if thou art near. 

O Saviour ! dark though it may be, 
With simple trust I cling to thee ; 
For soon I know upon my sight 
Will sweetly dawn the morning light. 



THE GREAT RESTORATIVE. 



The Saviour doth restore, 
By merits of his death, 

A ruined world which sank before 
Decay's devouring breath. 



SOLO VOX'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



The camphire cluster springs 

Amidst the dreary tomb ; 
And all the dead and mouldering things 

Burst into bud and bloom. 

Lost glory comes again, 

New life inspires the dead ; 
And barren hearts with beaut}' reign, 

From clustered virtues shed. 

The odor of the cross 

A drooping world revives ; 
And changes into gold the dross 

Of all our sinful lives. 



CHANGED. 



"Behold, thou art fair, my love! thou hast doves' 1 eyes." 

I once was all defiled, 

Nor dared to look above, 
Till Jesus on my spirit smiled, 

And filled me with his love. 

Now purified I am, 

And sinless walk each day ; 
All glory, glory to the Lamb ! 

Which bore m} r sins away. 

My soul so black has been, 

But Jesus calls me fair : 
His precious blood hath washed me clean, 

His rio-hteousness I wear. 



THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD. 37 

Mine eyes once fierce with sin, 

Are changed like the doves' ; 
A holy quiet reigns within, 

And Christ the Love of loves. 



THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD. 

"As the lily among thorns, BO Lfi my love among the daughters.' 

The Church her holy light doth shed 

On all the world around ; 
And pilgrim feet, that heavenward tread, 

Within her courts are found. 

She walks by dark and thorny ways, 

And often wounded, bleeds ; 
But still she works, and still she praj'S, 

Nor faints, while Jesus leads. 

She falters not when wounded sore, 

But walks with firmer tread : 
A crown of thorns her master wore 

When he for sinners bled. 

Though institutions loudly call 

For aid, till mines exhaust, 
Her mission is above them all, — 

She seeks to save the lost. 

And he that talent, time, or store, 

Upon her altar lays, 
Doth give a blessing, evermore 

To all the human race. 



38 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

THE HOUSE OF GOD. 

" The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. 1 

That God whom heaven cannot contain 
Delights in earthly courts to reign ; 
In temples built by human hand 
He dwells, the God of eveiy land. 

And where the holy meet to pray, 
He doth his saving power display ; 
Beneath the cedar and the fir 
He meets his church and blesses her. 

Not shifting tents, on desert lone, 
But an abiding honse we own ; 
Where, every day through all the seven, 
The manna falls to us from heaven. 

And while his presence here we share, 
The Lord of Hosts, he doth prepare 
A house, not made with hands, above, 
For all who seek and share his love. 



THE LOVELINESS OF JESUS. 

"I am the Rose of Sharon.' 11 

How lovely did thy leaves unfold, 
Thou heavenly-moulded flower ! 

And in thy nature we behold 
All beauty and all power. 



CHRIST PRE-EMINENT. 39 

When in the stall thou didst repose, 

And wise men round thee came, 
They looked on Sharon's beauteous rose, 

And knew thy ancient name. 

Reared in a lowly cottage room, 

And earl}- taught to toil, 
Doth tell how fairest flowers may bloom 

Upon the rudest soil. 

The fragrance of a life so pure, 

The memory of each deed. 
Shall through eternity endure, 

And heaven with wonder feed. 

For when the Roman spear and nail 

Did beat upon its bloom, 
For all mankind there did exhale 

An ever sweet perfume. 



CHRIST PRE-EMINENT. 

"As the apple among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved 
among the sons. 1 ' 

Pre-eminent is Christ o'er all, 

In earth, or heaven above ; 
The angels into nothing fall, 

O'ershadowed b}* his love. 

Ten thousand worlds, with glory bright, 

Before his presence dim ; 
And heaven itself, with all her light, 

Is swallowed up in him. 



40 SOLOMOX'S SONG BE-SUXG. 

The mystery of God and man 
In one, to suffering brought, 

Revealed, doth still withhold a plan 
That baffles power of thought. 

The angels sing, and ever sing 
About the wounds he bore ; 

While every look new wonders bring 
They never sung before. 

No throne is higher than his throne ; 

Before him nothing was ; 
While all created things make known 

His handiwork and laws. 

The purest spirits Christ adore, 
The highest kiss his feet ; 

And age to age, for evermore, 
His praises shall repeat. 



UNDER THE CROSS. 

" I sat down under his shadow with great delight." 

Under the cross I now sit with delight ; 
Jesus, my Saviour, hath clothed me in white ; 
I see the blood flow all da}' from his side, 
And keep ever near the sin-cleansing tide. 

Under the cross there's a shadow so sweet, 
That shields from the blast and hides from the heat ; 
There never comes pain and never comes loss, 
Under the shadow of Jesus's cross. 



FOUND. 41 

Under the cross, all the purest and best 
Come for the shadow and substance of rest ; 
And the}' who the name of Jesus denied, 
May come to the cross — its shadow will hide. 

All who on seas of temptation now toss, 
Come to the shadow of Jesus's cross ; 
Ye who have lingered till late in life's day, 
Come to the shadow, no longer delay. 

Come old and come }*oung, come feeble, come all, 
To the cross, while }'et its shadow doth fall ; 
It shields now in time, and shields in that day 
"When heaven and earth are passing away. 



HOLY LIVING. 

'• His fruit was sweet to my taste. 1 ' 

The fruit of loving deeds, 
The fruit of holy thought, 

For lasting sweetness far exceeds 
The fruit by pleasure brought. 

To live for Christ alone, 

And serve him every da} r , 
Will bring us fruit to ripeness grown, 

AVhen time has passed away. 

The fruit of Jesus' love 

Is ours to possess ; 
On earth below, in heaven above, 

It evermore will bless. 



42 SOLOMON'S SOXG EE-SUXG. 



No angel can declare 

The fruit of Calvary's tree ; 

It still will boundless blessings bear 
Through all eternity. 



HOME AT LAST. 

" He brought me to his banqueting house." 



Home, sweet home ! I'm there at last, 
Love of Christ around me cast ; 
From the cross I long did roam, 
Jesus brought me safely home. 
Home, and all the clanger past, 
Home in Jesus' love at last ! 

Oh how blest the new-found rest, 
Leaning on the Saviour's breast ! 
Oh what wonders, passing thought, 
Jesus' cleansing blood hath wrought ! 
Home at last ! at Jesus' side 
Evermore will I abide. 

Oh how kind must Jesus be 

To have sought so long for me, 

And prepare so rich a feast 

For the heart that loved him least ! 

All I know of love so vast 

Is that I am home at last ! 



LOVE'S BANNER. 43 



I beard a voice from Calvary's holy mountain, 
Speaking in accents tender to my soul : 

It bade me come and wash in that pure fountain, 
Whose waters heal and make forever whole. 

I was afar off, then, amid the singing 

And the fierce sunshine of earth's gilded dross ; 
But when I heard that voice so sweetly ringing, 

I turned and sought the shadow of the cross. 

Zionward it lay, overarched with glory. 

Set in the breast of earth, but pointing up ; 
Telling, with language sweet, the wondrous stoiy 

Of him, who, thorn-crowned, drank the bitter 
cup. 

I thought of all my meanness, and was turning 
To earth again, and all her gilded dross : 

But oh ! that voice came full of deepest yearning, 
And wooed me to the shadow of the cross. 



LOVE'S BANNER. 

" His banner over me was love. 11 

Love is the banner which over us waves, 
Jesus, our Captain, who blesses and saves ; 
We march all the daj T , his banner in sight, 
Round us it folds when we slumber at night. 



44 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

On Calvary's hill it first was unfurled, 
D}~ed crimson with blood that ransoms a world : 
And he who now bears it, bled but to win 
Souls from the thraldom of sorrow and sin. 

Follow that banner of refuge and love, 
Who seek for a home with Jesus above. 
The sinful and lost its blessings may share, 
And all who a cross for Jesus will bear. 

To day it is love ; it ma}^ bring us pain 
When earthward it sweeps with Jesus again : 
Its welcomes so sweet may never more wave, 
O follow it now, and Jesus will save. 



OVER-JOY.* 

' Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love.'' 



What feasts of rapture and delight 
With Christ, my Lord, I share ! 

And scenes that burst upon my sight 
Are more than cla} T can bear. 

He tells the story of his love, 

In undertones so sweet, 
Till heaven sinks round me from above 

While sittins; at his feet. 



* In the last sickness of J. Welch, he was overheard savins, 
"Lord, bold thine hand, it is enough; thy servant is a clay vessel, 
and can hold no more." 



OVER-JOT. 45 



I know my sins did wound him sore, 
And rest of mine destroy ; 

But still he loves me more and more, 
And breaks rny heart with joy. 

A moment, Lord, thy wounds conceal, 

A moment light deny ; 
For if thou dost more love reveal, 

My soul with jo} r will die. 



Oh the J03' of early seeking, 

Early finding Jesus out, 
And to hear him sweetly speaking 

Into silence every doubt. 

Daily rising higher, higher, 

Toward the sunlight and the dawn ; 
All the weight of base desire, 

All the power of passion, gone. 

Soul expanding, thought refining, 
Breaking fetters, winging way 

Upward, to the cloudless shining 
Of the everlasting da} T . 

Feeling God is growing dearer, 
Watches 3'ou with tender care ; 

Feeling heaven is growing nearer 
Every time yon kneel in prayer. 



46 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

Old delights and sinful pleasures 
Falling backward, beaten, dead : 

Yearnings after heavenly treasures 
Fill the heart, the soul, the head. 

This is jo}', the rest of leaning 
On that cross which points above ; 

Drinking in the hidden meaning 
Of the Saviour's boundless love. 

O thou King of Gloiy ! enter 
This poor heart and triumph, till 

Every wandering thought shall centre 
In obedience to tlry will. 



DIVINE SUPPORT AND PROTECTION. 

ght hand cloth 

Sweet is thy rest -my heart, 

Secure thy hiding place ; 
The tempter's power shall never part 

Thee from thy Lord's embrace. 

His left hand doth sustain, 

His right hand sweetly soothe ; 
While hidden things but grow more plain, 

And heavenward paths more smooth. 

What foe hast thou to fear ? 

What thing can bring thee harm, 
While God himself is ever near 

To shield thee with his arm ? 



DIVINE SUPPORT AND PROTECTION. 47 

Repose in perfect trust, 

Though all the world assail ; 
The throne of God must fall to dust 

Before tlry faith can fail. 



We all can trust God when the light 
Of health gilds us and ours ; 

But can we do it when the blight 
Falls on love's cherished flowers? 

'Tis well to say, " Thy will be done ! " 
When bright days on us crowd ; 

But can we do it when the sun 
Sinks down behind a cloud? 

Our God is wise, we whisper now, 

The prospect seems so fair ; 
But can we say it when the brow 

Is furrowed o'er by care ? 

There is no light without its shade, 

No day without its night ; 
And we are not as angels, made 

To dwell in cloudless light. 

God needs must pass us through the fire, 

AVe are so full of dross ; 
And when he wills to raise us higher, 

He makes us bear the cross. 

Though death should set from us apart 

Love's most beloved face, 
The language of the broken heart 

Should be a song of praise. 



48 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



BEHOLD, HE COMETH! 

•The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh, leaping upon the 
mountains and skipping upon the hills. 1 ' 



The Saviour comes ! I hear his cry, 
It shakes the earth and rends the sky ; 
The mountains melt beneath his tread, 
And graves restore their borrowed dead. 

Oh what a da} T ! the thunders crash, 
The cities fall, the lightnings flash ! 
O'er skies so blue an hour ago 
A sea of fire beats to and fro. 

The stars are falling : moon and sun 
In flames are frying : time is done ! 
And they who Jesus' name denied 
Are calling on the rocks to hide. 

He comes ! he comes ! the Lamb once slain 
With glory comes to earth again : 
The saints, rejoicing, hail their king, 
And swell the song his angels sing. 



Behold, I come quickly ! Christ comes not again 
In garments of flesh, as a lamb to be slain : 
He came with a cross, but he comes with a crown, 
And the thrones of this world shall all be cast 
down. 



BEHOLD, HE COMETH ! 49 

Hail, Jesus, we hail thee ! the bright morning 
star, 

That leads us to gloiy from darkness afar ; 

Tlry light, the great prophets saw, circling their 

dreams ; 
That light now is o'er us, we bask in its beams. 

Behold, I come quickly ! O Christian, work on ! 
The night is fast waning, full soon comes the 

dawn : 
"Well done ! good and faithful," thy Master will 

say, 
When he makes up his jewels in the soul-trying 

day. 

For the cross thou hast borne so patient and 
long. 

He will give thee a crown, a liar]), and a song ; 

And with the redeemed ones from nations un- 
known. 

Thy praise shall ascend to the Lamb and his 
throne. 

Behold, I come quickly ! the Saviour has said, 
Whose word is a life-throb which cannot grow 

dead. 
The world cried " aw a}' ! " in his sorrowing hour ; 
But who shall upbraid when he comes in his 

power ? 

No thorns on his brow, and no wound in his side, 
To tell how he suffered, or tell how he died ; 
But circled b}' angels that sing a new lrymn, 
And the light of a day that cannot grow dim. 



50 SOLOMON'S SOXG RE-SUNG. 

SORROW PAST. 

" Lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. 11 

Gone is now the winter dreary. 
Which has been with us so long, 

Making heart and spirit weary, 
Waiting for the summer song. 

Overhead the clouds are breaking, 
And the last fall of the rain 

Now in arch of light is making 
Promise not to come again. 

So the clouds of pain and sadness 
Leave us but to sing their loss ; 

While the dawn of rest and gladness 
Breaks upon us from the cross. 

Clouds of doubt are breaking o'er us ; 

Winter from the soul has fled ; 
And with joj r we see before us 

Fount of blood for sinners shed. 



FOLLOWING JESUS. 

"Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 1 ' 

Farewell to the world, attractive and ga}- ; 
Since Jesus has called, I will not delay ; 
The pleasures of wealth my heart shall resign, 
Xor mourn o'er their loss, for Jesus is mine. 



TOKENS OF LOVE. 51 

I heard his voice call, arise, come away ! 
While sinful companions pressed me to stay ; 
But friends cannot hold, nor pleasure beguile, 
Since Jesus has given the light of his smile. 

My will I resign, and count it no loss, 
Each duty perform, and carry my cross; 
No danger 1 fear, nor wearied can be, 
For Jesus in heaven is waiting for me. 

O hold me not back ! I seek for the prize 
Of life that's eternal, there in the skies ; 
A gleam of its light already I see, 
And Jesus in heaven is calling for me. 

The follies of youth, 1 lay them aside, 

"With passions that burn : lust, anger, and pride ; 

From all that is sin I ever am free, 

For Jesus in heaven is praying for me. 



TOKENS OF LOVE. 

" The flowers appear on the earth.*' 

All over the land there are tokens of love, 
The promise of fruit for the Master above ; 
The winter is past, the summer is near, 
And blossoms of hope in the churches appear. 

The hearts that so long richest mercy denied 

Are asking for Jesus, and seeking his side ; 

The feeble and doubting now break from their 

fear, 
The harvest is coming, and summer is near. 



52 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

Now faith looks above with a glory-lit e3~e, 
While prayer spreads her wings, and she soars 

to the sky ; 
The promises shine out more lovely and clear, 
For harvest is coming, and summer is near. 

Blow wind from the east, and blow wind from the 

west ; 
Come, Spirit of God, let the people not rest ; 
Give birth to the sigh and the penitent tear, 
Which tell us that summer and harvest are near. 



A TIME OF JOY. 

" The time of the singing of birds is come." 
I. 

The summer has come with its blossom and song ; 
The churches awake that have slumbered so long. 
Full harvests spread white on the far-stretching 

plain, 
And reapers for Jesus, they gather the grain. 

The seed of the kingdom through dark, wean- 
years, 
Half doubting its power, we scattered in tears ; 
But rooted, it grew through the long winter rain, 
And reapers for Jesus, they gather the grain. 

Weak faith now rejoices, beholding the sheaves, 
And hope, more triumphant, her melody weaves : 
We sing, and the angels re-echo the strain, 
While reapers for Jesus, the}- gather the grain. 



A TIME OF JOY. 53 

Now gone is the winter, its doubting and fear, 
While two worlds rejoice that the harvest is here: 
A time of refreshing is with ns again, 
And reapers for Jesus, they gather the grain. 



n. 

The windows of heaven are opening to-day, 
And rich showers of blessing drop down on our 

way : 
Too long we've been faithless, and doubting the 

Lord 
Was willing to bless by fulfilling his word. 

The heart of the sinner, though hardened so 

long, 
Is melted, finds peace, and rejoices in song ; 
While thcv who in weakness the journey have 

trod, 
Are strengthened within by the Spirit of God. 

All praise to the Lamb for the blood that re- 
deems, 

The fountain for cleansing, and mercy's free 
streams ; 

All praise to the Spirit, whose quickening power 

Has led us to seek and to welcome the shower. 

Our vineyard rejoices, the vine-dresser sees 
Rich fruit ripen fast on the once barren trees ; 
And they that bore well, until sapless they grew, 
Begin now to put forth their blossoms anew. 



54 - SOLOMON'S SOXG RE-SUNG. 



SABBATH SCHOOL EEVIVAL. 

;< The fig-tree putteth forth her green fi^s, and the vines with the 
tender grapes give a good smell." 

Tender grapes on vines appear, 
Christ among the children clear 
Now is working b} T his grace, 
Leading them to seek his face. 
Love's own banner o'er us waves, 
Christ the little children saves. 

Finding Christ in early years 
Saves from sorrow, pain, and tears ; 
Serving him from 3 T outh to age 
Maketh life a stainless page : 
Come, dear children, meekly bow 
At the feet of Jesus now. 

Parents for you ever pray, 
Lest 3'our little feet should stray 
From the path by Jesus trod, 
Which alone leads up to God. 
Come with us, and praying, bow, 
Give 3'our hearts to Jesus now. 



LITTLE SIXS. 

"Take us, the little foxes, that spoil the vines. 1 

Where the river broad begins, 

But a streamlet flows : 
So the force of little sins 

Widens as it goes. 



IN THE BOCK I'M HIDING. 



Little insects pierce the ships 
Till a wreck they lie : 

Little sins of heart and lips 
Ruin yon and I. 

Little foxes spoil the vine 

Tearing limbs apart : 
Little sins will undermine 

Walls built round the heart. 

Little >ins forge strongest chains 

For the erring soul ; 
Little sins leave deepest >tain^ 

On the judgment scroll. 



IX TUP: ROCK I'M HIDING. 

" Thou art in the clefts of the rock. 11 



Happy they who enter 

To love's blissful centre ; 

Evermore beholding 

Depths of grace unfolding. 

All to Christ confiding, 
Safe from sin abiding, 
In the Rock I'm hiding, 

Rock once cleft for me. 

Gone the sorrow wearing, 
Gone the burden bearing ; 
Christ hath undertaken 
Weight of sins forsaken. 

All to Christ, etc. 



56 SOLOMON'S SOXG RE-SUNG. 

Here the blood is flowing, 
Purest life bestowing ; 
And no foe molesting, 
Heart in Jesus resting. 

All to Christ, etc. 

All by faith may enter 
To love's blissful centre ; 
Where the blood of Jesus 
From all bondage frees us. 

All to Christ, etc. 



Oh how sweet it is to hide 
In the Saviour's wounded side ; 
Where each moment blood doth flow 
Washing whiter than the snow, 
Changing all my worn attire 
Into seraph robes of fire. 

How wast wrought my hiding place ; 
There is on thee still the trace 
Of the Roman spear, whose thrust 
Gave the wound in which I trust, — 
Wound to which my soul has fled, 
Till the judgment wake the dead. 

Never more shall form or face 
Lure me from my hiding place ; 
Base desire or poisoned dart 
Cannot reach nry shielded heart ; 
Nor the demon doubt molest, 
In this riven side of rest. 



MINE AND HIS 



THE DESIRE OF JESUS. 

"Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is 
thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.' 1 

The voice of the sinner to Jesus is sweet, 

AY hen pleading for mercy lie conies to his feet ; 

That face is the fairest which leaves the world's 

dross, 
And turns to the sunshine of Christ and his cross. 

Ko angel so fair to the Saviour appears 
As sinners set free from the thraldom of years ; 
No music of heaven such sweetness can bear 
As sighs from a soul with its first broken prayer. 

No anthem of praise sheds such rapture above 

As spirits once lost singing Jesus's love ; 

He views with delight what his wounded heart 

won ; 
The Father, well-pleased, sees the work of his 

Son. 



MINE AND HIS. 

"My beloved is mine, and I am his." 

All the wealth in Christ I own, 
Angel tongue could not make known ; 
Nor can aught in heaven above 
Tell the riches of his love. 
This I know, and only this : 
He is mine, and I am his. 



58 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

Mine to love, and loving, see 
His und}'ing love for me ; 
Mine to serve, and serving, grow 
More like him who loves me so : 
This the crowning song of bliss : 
He is mine, and I am his. 

He who Jesus doth possess 
Hath all blessing that can bless ; 
Hath all joy, all life, all love, 
Filling earth or heaven above. 
All is swallowed up in this : 
He is mine, and I am his. 

Heaven nothing higher sings, 
Knowledge nothing deeper brings ; 
What eternit}' reveals 
Is the wealth this truth conceals ; 
Boundless heights and depths of bliss ! 
He is mine, and I am his. 



CHRIST AND HIS LILIES. 

"He feedeth among the lilies." 

Christ alone delights to feed 

With the pure in thought and deed ; 

Sweetly he reveals his face 

To the lilies of his grace. 

While their snow-white leaves outspread, 

Catch the dews and sunshine shed. 



WAITING FOR THE DAWN. 59 

Unobtrusive, quiet, blest, 

'Neath the shade of wings they rest ; 

From the busy world apart 

Place they share in Jesus' heart: 

While his cross, with shadow sweet. 
Shields them from the cold and heat. 

"When they bloom their purest white, 
Stainless as the morning light, 
Christ doth gently hear above 
All the lilies of his love, 
And ' neath softer, fairer skies, 
They re-bloom in Paradise. 



WAITING FOB THE DAWN. 



Waiting for the dawn ! 

Jesus, on us smile ! 
Till the night is gone, 

Turn, oh turn a while ! 
Lest from duty's path we stray 
Ere the shadows flee away. 

We would reach thy feet 
In the morning light ; 

Foes unseen we meet, 
Darker grows the night. 

Lord, from thy divine abode. 

Lighten all this darksome road, 



60 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

Jesus, lead us on ! 

Guide and counsel be, 
Till the morning dawn, 

And the shadows flee ; 
That we safely find our way 
To the light of endless day. 



This is the night before the morning. 
Stars are fading through the dawn, 
Moons are waning, midnight gone ; 
Slowly up the eastern way 
Eoll the chariot wheels of day ; 
While the universe makes room 
For the tragic pla} T of doom. 

This is the night before the morning. 
Dead hearts into beating break, 
Dead eyes into brightness wake, 
Hands unclasp upon the breast, 
Millions rise from their long rest ; 
Leaving grave and leaving tomb 
For the tragic play of doom. 

This is the night before the morning. 
Sea spreads her wave-wings to fly, 
When the angel passes by ; 
Earth unfolds her worn attire 
For a mystic change of fire ; 
And amidst the parting gloom 
Waits the tragic pla}~ of doom. 



SEEKING in: st IX SECLUSION. 61 

This is the night before the morning. 

Through the gates of heaven doth ride 
Bridegroom forth to meet his bride ; 
She is coming, clothed in white, 
From the chambers of the night, 
Forth to meet him in the light. 
Angels crowd, with wreath and plume, 
To the tragic play of doom. 

This is the night before the morning. 
Flash the stars, by tempests driven. 
Trailing lire from heaven to heaven ; 
Lightnings, from far distance hurled, 
With their flame lips kiss the world : 
And midst fire, wail, light, and gloom, 
Opes the tragic play of doom. 



SEEKING REST IX SECLUSION. 



To the still and deep seclusion, 
Far from friend and guest, 

Guilty fears will force intrusion, 
Breaking all the rest. 

Not to deepest shades retreating- 
Can one joy impart. 

While within us there is beating 
Unforgiven heart. 



62 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

Though no voice or shadow longer 
O'er our pathway crossed, 

Voice within would speak the stronger, 
Lost ! forever lost ! 

Rest comes not to highest heaven, 

Nor on earth appears, 
While the heart is unforgiven, 

Though we seek with tears. 



FOUND. 

"I found him whom my soul loveth. 1 ' 

In the Almighty's earthly dwelling. 

Worn and crushed by pain and loss, 
I have listened to the telling 
Of the stoiy of the cross. 

There the watchman stood and pointed, 
Till my soul could plainly see 

Dying Jesus, God's anointed, 
AVith an open side for me. 

Long I trembled, doubting, viewing 
Thorn}' crown and bleeding limb ; 

Fearing, while for mercy suing, 
When I should but trust in him. 

Nearer, ever nearer creeping, 
Drawn by love divine and sweet, 

Till, amidst a flood of weeping, 
I fell down and kissed his feet. 



SEEKING THE LOUD IN THE WORLD. 63 

Then there came a sweet forgiving, 
Blood that cleansed from sinful dross : 

Then commenced that purer living, 
Which springs only from the cross. 



SEEKING EEST IN THE WORLD. 

; 'I will rise now, and go about the city in the Btreets, and in the 

broadways. I will seek liim whom my soul lovetb : 

I Bought him, but found him not." 

Sorrowful and wounded breast, 

In the world dost seek for rest ? 
Cleansing for one guilty spot? 
Thou wilt seek, but find it not. 



In the gay and giddy tide 
Seekest thou from God to hide ? 
Place where guilt is all forgot? 
Thou wilt seek, but find it not. 

Thinkest thou that sweetest song- 
Charms to silence voice of wrong ? 
Or that pleasure hides one blot ? 
Thou wilt seek, but find it not. 

Thinkest thou the world has wrought 
Change of life and change of thought ? 
Sin one lasting joy begot ? 
Thou wilt seek, but find it not. 



64 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



THE COMING OF LOVE. 

' Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, 

perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all 

powders of the merchant? " 



Morn of glory breaks around us, 

Jesus comes, Jesus comes ! 

Fetters fall that long have bound us, 

Jesus comes, Jesus comes ! 

Hallelujah, see the glory ! 

Hallelujah, tell the story ! 

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Jesus comes ! 

See the tear of sorrow falling, 
Jesus comes, Jesus comes ! 

Hear the lost for nieixw calling, 
Jesus comes, Jesus comes ! 
Hallelujah, etc. 

God with trumpet-tongue is speaking, 

Jesus comes, Jesus comes ! 
Souls are for a Saviour seeking, 
Jesus comes, Jesus comes ! 
Hallelujah, etc. 

Happy day is dawning o'er us, 
Jesus comes, Jesus comes ! 

Bright the way appears before us, 
Jesus comes, Jesus comes ! 
Hallelujah, etc. 



THE COMING OF LOVE. 65 



Crowds before the cross are kneeling, 

Jesus saves, Jesus saves ! 

By bis boundless love revealing, 

Jesus saves, Jesus saves! 

Hallelujah, light is beaming, 

Hallelujah, blood is streaming, 

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Jesus saves ! 

All the lost and all the lonety 
Jesus saves, Jesus saves ! 

Oh come now, believing only 
Jesus saves, Jesus saves ! 
Hallelujah, etc. 

Hearts are at this moment proving 
Jesus saves, Jesus saves ! 

Every sinful stain removing, 
Jesus saves, Jesus saves ! 
Hallelujah, etc. 

Come with tears your sin confessing, 
Jesus saves, Jesus saves ! 

Seek and find the choicest blessing, 
Jesus saves, Jesus saves ! 
Hallelujah, etc. 

Hallelujah, saints are singing, 
Jesus saves, Jesus saves ! 

Heaven with jo}*ous song is ringing, 
Jesus saves, Jesus saves ! 
Hallelujah, etc. 



66 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

THE KING'S ARMY. 

" They all hold swords." 

Christ Jesus is our Saviour King, 

Hallelujah ! 
Beneath his flag we fight and sing, 

Hallelujah, Hallelujah ! 
Ever} 7 soldier holds a sword, 
In the army of the Lord, 

Singing Hallelujah, 
We are marching home, home, sweet home, 
There to lav the sword and the armcfr down : 
We are marching home, home, sweet home, 
To share with our Saviour his royal crown. 

The ranks of sin are falling fast, 

Hallelujah ! 
And Christ shall overcome at last, 

Hallelujah, Hallelujah ! 
Half the army's in the air, 
Fighting o'er us everywhere, 

Singing hallelujah, 
We are marching home, etc. 

The world is bowing to our King, 

Hallelujah ! 
And prisoners of his love now sing, 

Hallelujah, hallelujah ! 
Thousands from the haunts of sin 
To our rank are coming in, 

Singing hallelujah, 
We are marching home, etc. 



HOLDIXG OX TO JESUS. 67 



WATCHFULNESS. 



Christian, watch when night is nigh, 
Gird the sword upon the thigh ; 
Foes who fear the morning light 
May o'ercome thee in the night. 

Clouds of darkness will surround 
Every soul that's heavenward bound ; 
And the purest fight their way 
To the light of endless day. 

Watch ! for when no clouds appear 
Night and danger may be near ; 
When the least prepared for strife, 
We ma} r lose the crown of life. 

Watch ! the sword is laid aside 
Only when we cross the tide ; 
And a life of rest is given 
When we reach the gates of heaven. 



HOLDING ON TO JESUS. 

" I held him, and would not let him go." 

Holding on to Jesus, with the crown in sight, 
Holding on to Jesus in the dark and light ; 
Though the world may tempt me with its luring 

dross, 
Holding on to Jesus, clinging to the cross. 



68 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

If I hold to Jesus, Jesus holds to me, 
And each path of duty plainly can I see ; 
Over all I triumph, and secure abide, 
Holding on to Jesus, clinging to his side. 

Ere you can unshaken to the Saviour hold, 
Earth must be forsaken, self and love of gold ; 
Gladly you must suffer eveiy earthly loss, 
Holding on to Jesus, clinging to the cross. 

Bid farewell to pleasure, let the idols fall, 
And the Saviour only be your all in all ; 
Nothing shall disturb you, though the tempests toss, 
Holding on to Jesus, clinging to the cross. 



SPOTLESS. 

" There is no spot in thee." 

There rests on my soul not a shadow or stain, 
For Jesus hath washed me again and again ; 
His blood eveiy moment doth over me flow, 
Washing and keeping me whiter than snow. 

No spot is in thee, 

Says the Saviour to me, 

And true 'tis I know, 
For what can be whiter than whiter than snow? 

The world says that sin lieth still in my breast ; 
But Christ says I'm spotless — I'm sure he knows 

best: 
I'll sing of that blood now, wherever I go, 
Washing and keeping me whiter than snow. 
No spot is in thee, etc. 



WAITING NEAR THE CROSS. 69 

All glor}* to Jesus ! all praise to the Lamb ! 
Through whose bouudless mere}' now spotless I 

am : 
His blood all my journey is ever I know 
Washing and keeping me whiter than snow. 
No spot is in thee, etc. 



WAITING NEAR THE CROSS. 

''Until the d:iy break and the shadows floe away, I will <?et me to the 
mountains of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense." 

Doubting hearts around us strive to lead astra}* 
Those who seek salvation by the narrow way ; 
Scorn they cast on Jesus, trifle with his word, 
Say that prayer in heaven is answered not nor 
heard. 

Near the cross I'm waiting, 

Safe from doubts and fears, 
Near the cross I'm waiting, 
Till the dawn appears. 

Though we see but darkly, what a glorious sight 
Will unfold before us in the morning light ! 
On this holy mountain, with love's odor sweet, 
Safe my soul is resting, at the Saviour's feet. 
Near the cross, etc. 

Art or science never can salvation test, 
Comes its sweet revealing when in Christ we rest ; 
Light of reason cannot to the world impart 
How a blessing enters to a praying heart. 
Fear the cross, etc. 



70 SOLOMON'S SOXG RE-SUNG. 



LOOK AWAY TO JESUS. 

" Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, 
from the lions'' den, from the mountains of the leopards." 

Look away to Jesus, if 3'ou would be blest ; 
Looking at 3*0111* weakness cannot give you rest ; 
And when full of faith, you keep the cross in 

view, 
The Lord looks on Jesus, and not upon you. 
Look away to Jesus, 

He doth pardon give ; 
Look away to Jesus, 
Oh look now and live ! 

Look away to Jesus when the clouds appear, 
Look away to Jesus when the tempter's near ; 
And though seas of sorrow lift their mighty waves, 
Look awaj' to Jesus with a look that saves. 
Look away, etc. 

Look away to Jesus ! in the dark and light 
Keep the cross of Jesus ever more in sight ; 
Every hour temptation pla}*s its luring part, 
Look away to Jesus, with a trusting heart. 
Look awa}~, etc. 



THE POWER OF OXE PURE HEART. 

"Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes." 

One pure heart shall move a mountain, 
Bid love's banner be unfurled, 

Open wide the cleansing fountain 
To a nation or a world. 



THE ACCEPTABLE OFFERING. 71 

Let the prayer of Luther thunder, 
Crashing through the brassy skies ; 

And we shall behold the wonder 
Of a reformation rise. 

Heaven cannot withstand the pleading 

Of a heart that sinneth not, 
Nor the mighty interceding 

Of a church without a spot. 

One pure heart shall shield a nation 
From the famine, blast, and rod ; 

And that fearful desolation 
Sweeping from an angry God. 

In the word of God 'tis written, 

Truth by all the holy known, 
Heart of Christ is sweetly smitten 

By a heart pure like his own. 



THE ACCEPTABLE OFFERING. 



Nothing can such joy impart 
To the Saviour's loving heart, 
As that life his blood has bought 
To his feet an offering brought : 
Glad he welcomes to the throne 
Love re-kindled b}< his own. 



72 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

" Victory ! " the angels cry, 
When a soul to Christ draws nigh ; 
While across the crystal sea 
Floats the voice of Calvary, 
Telling through the heavens wide 
How the Lord for sinners died. 

Knowing all thy love to me, 
Lord, I bring n^self to thee ; 
Thou for me didst all resign, 
Therefore all I have is thine : 
To my soul thy life impart 
While I srive to thee mv heart. 



THE WORK OF LOVE. 

"Thy lips. O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk 

are under thy tongue, and the smell of thy garments 

is like the smell of Lebanon. 1 ' 

O love divine ! what glories shine 
Upon this ransomed heart of mine : 
How sweet to rest upon thy breast, 
And with thy smile be ever blest ! 

Sweet was the hour, O Jesus ! 
I felt thy power, O Jesus ! 
Now I rest 
On tlry breast 
Evermore, my Jesus ! 

When sorrow-tried, I safely hide 
Within thy deeply riven side ; 
And shades of fear nor doubt appear 
While thou to me, my Lord, art near. 
Sweet was the hour, etc. 



THE E\ -MID EX. 



With pure delight, in garments white, 
I walk with Jesus in the light ; 
And all the while, in pain and trial, 
I feel my loving Saviour's smile. 
Sweet was the hour, etc. 

His love hath brought the rest I sought 
In all its fulness, passing thought ; 
His head bowed low, his blood did flow 
That I might full salvation know. 
Sweet was the hour. etc. 



THE ENCLOSED GARDEN. 

"A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut 
up, a fountain sealed.' 1 

A garden sweet, enclosed, secure, 

Art thou, O Zion dear !• 
Where all the hoi}*, good, and pure 

In loveliness appear. 

Amidst the world, and yet apart 

From all its angry strife, 
The Saviour holds thee in his heart, 

And feeds thee with his life. 

The hands which built the worlds above, 

And the eternal throne, 
Thy temples reared by strength of love 

In sadness and alone. 



74 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

From Edom, lonely, forth there came, 
With garments crimson dyed, 

One who endured the cross and shame, 
Thorn-crown and wounded side, 

That in this world of strife and sin, 
Thy gates be open thrown ; 

Where all who will may enter in 
To live for God alone. 



THE PLANTS AND PLEASANT FRUITS. 

" Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits. "' 

Here the tender plants are cherished, 
Here the pleasant fruit appears ; 

All the canker sins have perished 
Which did waste in former years. 

Now the branches, upward tending, 
Catch the light and dews which fall ; 

Then to earth, well-laden, bending, 
Pleasant fruit refreshes all. 

From the orchard winds are blowing 

For all wounded hearts a balm ; 
From this orchard, streams are flowing 

To all troubled hearts, with calm. 

Winds are sent, through chambers stealing 

As a flower-breath from above ; 
To the dying saint unsealing 

Odors sweet froni wounded love. 



THE FOUNTAIN. 



All the plants and trees are sharing 
Life, through Christ's redeeming plan ; 

And the fruit each tree is bearing 
Feeds the life divine in man. 



THE FOUNTAIN. 



Streams of grace forever flow 
Through the Church of God below ; 
Nothing withers, nothing wanes, 
For the Lord himself sustains 
With a pure, life-giving Hood, 
All the purchase of his blood. 

Without money, without price, 
Life to all the Lord supplies ; 
And his streams of mercy flow 
For the high and for the low ; 
All who need may be supplied 
At this fountain, opened wide. 



They who drink ne'er thirst again ; 
They who wash lose every stain ; 
To the dark it giveth light ; 
To the blind it giveth sight ; 
And eternal life imparts 
To a world of weaiy hearts. 



76 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



BLOW, SPIRIT, BLOW! 

" Awake, O north wind, and come thou south; blow upon my 
garden, that the spices thereof may how out." 

Spirit of God ! in thy power sweep by, 
And brighten the blossoms that sicken to die ; 
New life to my garden of beauty impart, 
That spices may now from each purified heart. 

O blow, Spirit, blow, 
And let the spices flow 
When my Beloved shall pass this way. 

1 would to my Jesus a pure offering make 

Of love's sweetest odors, for dying love's sake ; 
His wounded hands planted nrv garden so sweet, 
And all that is best I would lay at his feet. 
O blow, Spirit, etc. 

He's coming with angels robed whiter than snow, 
My garden must bloom and nry spices must flow ; 
He's coming to gather the fruit of that pain 
He bore on the cross for the world and its stain. 
O blow, Spirit, etc. 



WELCOME TO JESUS. 

"Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits.' 

Open wide opposing gates, 
Christ to enter, knocking, waits ; 
He shall view with great delight 
Ripened fruit and blossom white ; 
Smile to see no tree around 
Fruitless, cumbering the ground. 



THE SPIRIT AND THE EEIDE. 

For his church in b}*-gone }'ears 
lie lias shed his blood and tears, 
That from cross of pain might spring 
A divine and glorious thing. 
Every gate be opened wide, 
Welcome in the Crucified. 

Jesus comes this day to feast 
With the lowliest and the least ; 
Here with him in converse sweet 
Fruit of love we all ma}- eat ; 
While the Lord himself imparts 
Light and jo}" to waiting hearts. 



THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE. 

Chapter v. 11. 



Oh where is my lost love ? why doth she hide 

Her face from me for evermore ? 
I am thy Lord, and thou art my true Bride : 

I'm weary knocking at thy door. 

Awake, awake, my love ! why sleep so sound? 

Sorrow for thee is in my halls ; 
I will no more return till thou art found : 

Arise, come now, tlry Saviour calls ! 

Long have I sought thee sorrowing ; my hair 
Is wet with night dews, and my feet 

Are weary ; O u^ beloved, Tay fair 

One, come ! and let us once more meet. 



SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



My father is not angry now ; alone 

I trod the winepress, bore his ire 
For thee ; my sorrow makes thee more mine own, 

Thy presence my heart's best desire. 



Call me not bride ; the bridal robes thou gavest 
me 
Are all defiled, sin-stained ; the beauteous 
flowers 
Thy hands placed on my brow, they are not fair 
to see 
As when I wore them first in Eden's bowers. 

Death follows m} T footsteps evermore, and time 
Writes deepening wrinkles on my limbs and 
brow ; 

The earth is not as of old a sinless clime, — 
Thou wouldst not know me if thou sawest me 



Thou art all holiness, but I am all sin ; 

Thou art most lovely, I am old and gray ; 
Decay is on me, my spirit dark within ; 

I weep, but tears wash not my guilt awaj*. 

I heard tlry heavenly voice of plaintive tone 
Calling upon me in nry fearful sleep ; 

And dreamed a moment I was again thine own, 
With brow more beautiful and love more deep. 



THE SPIJ7 IT AND THE BRIDE. 

Alas, Lord, it is not so, and never more 
Can I walk spotless, sinless, at thy side ; 

I am not worthy to open thee the door, 
I am a fallen star, and not tlry bride. 



in. 

I know thy bridal robes are broken, but I have 

woven new ; 
I know the vows thou gavest me of old, thou hast 

not kept them true ; 
Yet still within m}* heart for thee is the love which 

once it bore ; 
The bridegroom that loveth once his bride, loveth 
her evermore. 

The wrinkles which o'er thy limbs are spread, the 

shadows on thy brow, 
Shall vanish away when thou vowest again thy 

former vow : 
Fer thee my side was pierced, for thee nry hands 

with nails were torn, 
On me thy weight of guilt was cast, and my soul 

was made to mourn. 

Now let the false idols thou hast loved be all 

shattered at thy feet, 
And turn again to my bosom, and thy rest shall 

be long and sweet ; 
And thou shalt sicken no more 'neath a dead 

love's withering breath, 
Nor sit in garments of sorrow, nor look again 

upon death. 



SOLOMON'S SOXG RE-SUNG. 



And thou shalt walk with sinless soul ever at thy 

true love's side, 
To be more lovely and more loved than when 

thou wast first his bride ; 
For the past shall never more rise with dark 

wings over thy sight, 
But round about and o'er thee, shall be heaven 

and all its light. 

rv. 
I am o'erwhelmed with grief, my Lord, to think 

on all thou hast borne 
For me ; thine agony and bloody sweat, limbs 

so bruised and torn ; 
And that thou, the fairest of all on earth, or in 

heaven above, 
Shouldst bear for me still in thy bosom so beauti- 
ful a love. 
Nothing have I to give thee, my Lord, nothing 

have I to bring ; 
Lo, at thy feet, I sorrowing fall, a mean and 

worthless thing ; 
And here will I cling for evermore close to tlry 

bleeding side, 
For thou hast called me again tlry love, called me 

again tlry bride. 
I feel, as I nearer draw to thee, look on thy ra- 
diant brow, 
Those dark thoughts vanish awa}~ that haunted 

nry soul until now ; 
While the rags from my limbs fall off, all the 

filthy rags of sin, 
And I am arrayed in white without, and full of 

light within. 



THE SPIRIT A XI) THE BE IDE. 81 

Bend over me now with a smile, and tell me I am 

forgiven, 
And give me the kiss of love that lifts the soul 

from earth to heaven ; 
Oh fold around me thy wounded hands, let me lie 

upon thy breast, 
Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the 

weary are at rest ! 



Awake, harp ! with a lofty strain, 
Heaven's gates be opened wide ! 

The Bridegroom nears the eternal spheres, 
And he briugeth home his Bride. 

She is robed in all that is rare, 
There's a new light in her eye ; 

We strew her way to eternal clay 
With flowers that never die. 

Oh how he loved her ! and how he wept 

To see she had sunk so low ; 
To see his Bride fall from his side 

To the deepest depths of woe ! 

But his step is light and joj'ous now, 
And his lips are bright with smiles, 

Telling his love of the joy above 
Here in the heavenly isles. 

Lift up j'our heads, O ye golden gates ! 

And eternal doors swing wide ! 
The King of glory to enter waits, 

With his newty-ransomed Bride. 



82 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



THE SORROWS OF SIN. 

'The watchmen that went about the city found me; they smote 
me, they wounded me." 



The Word which once so soothing came 
Now smites me like a scorching flame ; 
The sabbath bell, the voice of praise, 
Wound with the jo} T s of better days. 

The name of Jesus, once so dear, 
Now fills my heart with shame and fear ; 
The mention of his thorn}' crown 
Reveals the love I trampled down. 

Of what I am I dare not think, 

And from the thought of dying shrink ; 

The path of duty once I trod, 

But now am far from light and God. 

Though I have wounded Jesus so, 
My heart received the fiercest blow ; 
And all my jo}^ to grief is turned 
Through pity of that love I spurned. 



O Jesus, hear my crj' ! 

A poor lost child of thine : 
In answer to my prayer draw nigh, 

And take this load of mine. 



SEEKING A LOST SAVIOUR. 83 



Long years this heavy weight 
Of sins I've sadly borne ; 

But now heart-broken, desolate, 
I to ttry feet return. 

Jesns ! let me in 

To thy sweet rest of love ; 
And I no more will stoop to sin, 
But rise to jo}-s above. 

1 cannot bear this -load, 

I faint by guilt oppressed ; 
Shine out upon the darksome road, 
And guide me to ttry rest. 



SEEKING A LOST SAVIOUR. 

" I opened to my beloved, but my beloved bad withdrawn himself 

and was none: I sought him, but I could not find him ; 1 

called him, but he gave me no answer." 

The light of the Lord from my path is with- 
drawn, 
The peace of my spirit is broken and gone ; 
I call, but he answers me not as of old ; 
I've wandered away from the track of the fold. 

It was but a moment I trifled, and lo, 

The stains on that garment once whiter than 

snow ; 
A sigh for the idols I knew must depart, 
And Jesus went out at the door of my heart. 



84 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

I promised to give up the things I loved best, 
If Jesus would come to my bosom and rest ; 
No idol should ask for a share in his throne, 
And nothing delight me but Jesus alone. 

That promise is broken, the Saviour has fled ; 
The blossoms of love are all withered and dead ; 
The clouds have o'ershadowed the brightness of 

dawn, 
I'm alone in the dark, and Jesus is gone. 

-THE CHIEFEST. 

" The chiefest among ten thousand." 

Through the strength of love divine 
Jesus ever first shall shine ; 
Universe of spirits bright 
Pale before his fuller light : 
He my chiefest love shall be, 
Who hath shed his blood for me. 

Prince of princes, king of kings ! 
Glory of all glorious things ; 
Whom the highest evermore 
Feel it blessed to adore : 
He the chiefest joy I know, 
For he washed me white as snow. 

He shall be my chiefest stay, 
All along the heavenly way ; 
He shall be 1113* chiefest trust 
When this mortal turns to dust : 
He nry chiefest love shall be, 
Now, and in eternity. 



GATHERED LILIES. 85 

THE ALTOGETHER LOVELY. 

"He \a altogether lovely." 

How lovely is Jesus, the Lamb that was slain, 
To win a world's pardon by sorrow and pain ; 
How lovely that crown on bis onee bleeding brow, 
And lovely his love which overshadows me now ! 

Oh ! lovely, surpassing all loveliness, he, 
Who died with the thief lor a lost world and me, 
That all might be perfected here by his love, 
And meet him with white robes in heaven above. 

How lovely that life, doing good everywhere ! 
How lovely that death, with its merciful prayer! 
And lovely that blood which on Calvary flowed, 
When it washes the heart and lightens its load. 

How lovely is Jesus, when close to his side. 
From doubt and temptation securely we hide ! 
And lovely his presence, when loving him best. 
He comes to our hearts with the blessing of rest. 



GATHERED LILIES. 

' My beloved is gone down into his garden, . . . to gather lilies.' 
T. 

We mourn the loss of one whose clays 
Were spent in duty, prayer, and praise ; 
The cross he nobly bore, and now 
A crown of glory decks his brow. 



SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

He early sought the narrow way, 
And humbly walked it da} T by da}' ; 
His death the blessed verdict gave 
That Jesus' blood can fully save. 

Though ours the loss and his the gain, 
His memory fragrant will remain ; 
And lessons from his wisdom drawn 
Will bless us still, though he is gone. 

No more his voice in pra}~er or praise 
Will cheer us, as in other da}-s ; 
But through the grace our God supplies 
We soon shall meet him in the skies. 



O God ! our strength and shield, 

Be near us while we mourn 
One fallen on the battle-field, 

And to his slumber borne. 

He fought for Jesus well, 

In stern and holy strife ; 
At post of duty noblv fell, 

And rose to endless life. 

Who shall his standard bear, 

For Christ and heaven unfurled? 

Who wrestle with his strength in prayer 
For blessings on the world. 

O God ! our strength and shield, 

Support us in this hour : 
To all who mourn be Christ revealed, 

With sweet, consoling power. 



GATHERED LILIES. 

We lay him in the tomb, 

Until God's angel flies 
From heaven to earth, with trump of doom, 

And all the dead shall rise. 

We lay him down to rest, 

A brother true and dear ; 
With all whom Jesus loved the best 

He .shall in bliss appear. 



Gone across the mystic river, 

To the Eden shore ; 
Safe with God and Christ forever, 

To return no more. 

Gone, though lying now before us 

In a slumber deep ; 
Safe in heavenly mansions o'er us, 

Never more to weep. 

Gone : the pain and toil are ended, 

Finished all the strife ; 
For the spirit hath ascended 

To eternal life. 

Gone the weakness and the sighing, 
Changing hopes and fears ; 

Gone the weariness of dying, 
And the blinding tears. 

Gone across the mj'stic river, 
One more gathered home ; 

Safe with God and Christ forever, 
Waiting till we come. 



SOLO VOX'S SONG BE-SUXG. 



Softly let the music swell, 
As we sing a long farewell, 
Look our last on one whose rest 
Tells how sweetly sleep the blest : 
Breathe a prayer on every breath, 
For how near we are to death ! 

In the stillness so profound 
God himself seems walking round ; 
Telling in the silence deep, 
Blest are thej T who fall asleep, 
All the work assigned them done, 
Trusting in his blessed Son. 

Softly let the music swell, 
As we sing farewell, farewell ! 
Never more on earth we meet 
To engage in worship sweet, 
Till we stand where angels dwell, 
Sing we now farewell, farewell ! 



Where the sound of human voices 
Fall not on the raptured ear, 

The unfettered soul rejoices 
In a brighter, holier sphere. 

Never more can sorrow sadden, 
Care be an abiding guest ; 

For all that is bright doth gladden, 
In the spirit's heavenly rest. 



GATHERED LILIES. 89 

Doubt no more can bring suggestion, 
Wounding faith in heavenward flight ; 

For each deep and shadowed question 
Shines out in the clearest light. 

Christ with balm is sweetly healing 
All the wounds the spirit bore ; 

And of life and love revealing 
Deeper depths for ever more. 



He sleeps, so loved and mourned by those 
Who heard him teach with purpose strong 

The way to win a heaven's repose, 

By seeking right and shunning wrong. 

He sleeps so peacefully, that now 

The labor of his life is o'er, 
A smile of rest falls on his brow, 

Which care or pain can shade no more. 

He sleeps, like all the good and just 

Who nobly fall in holy strife, 
With a sublime and humble trust 

In the eternal, after life. 

He sleeps, and that great weight of pain 
Which bowed his soul to shades of night, 

Can touch him not, nor cloud again, 
Up in that woild of perfect light. 



90 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



Early, early called away 

In the midst of childhood's play, 

To rejoin on Canaan's shore 

Pla3 T mates that have gone before : 

Leaving others to prepare 

For their change, and meet her there. 

Early, early this for flight 

To the world of mansions bright ; 

Early to be homeward bound, 

Early to be victor crowned ; 

Early this to join above 

Choirs that sing redeeming love. 

Though so early, this we know, 
Jesus washed her white as snow ; 
He who once the children blest 
Brought her safe to shores of rest : 
Though so early, child, thou hast 
All life's clanger safely passed. 



With loving hands we bear to rest, 
And 3'ield the tribute of our tears, 

The dead, whose memory will be blest 
To many hearts, through future years. 

The tongue on which death's seal is set 

Hath filled this house with praise and prayer, 

And years must pass ere we forget 
The lovins words it uttered here. 



SHE COMETH AS THE MORNING. 91 

Where oft it knelt for bread and wine 
The bod}' lies, removed from strife ; 

The features seeming move divine 
Than through the 3'ears of holy life. 

We learn amidst this solemn scene 

A holy life alone is blest ; 
That Jesus' blood can wash us clean, 

And purchase everlasting rest. 

We part where grief is deep and long, 
And nothing can our tears restrain ; 

We meet at last, with shout and song, 
When Jesus comes to earth a^ain. 



SHE COMETH AS THE MORNING. 

She cometh as the morning, clear as the sun, 
And she neareth her noonday splendor ; 

For the holy light of the crucified One 
Doth in all her journey attend her. 

She cometh as the morning, with light and song, 
Wearing garments of snow}- whiteness ; 

And all by the way where she passes along 
She sheddeth her blessings and brightness. 

She cometh as the morning, quenching the night 
Of burdensome doubt and of sadness ; 

She giveth unto faith a garment of white, 
And to all her followers gladness. 



92 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

She cometh as the morning, and all shall see 
By the light which her Lord hath given, 

That the spirit must perfect and hoty be 
Before it can pass into heaven. 



RESTING UNAWARES. 



Or ever I was aware, before the Saviour's feet, 
Through the depths of love divine, my soul found 

blessings sweet ; 
When feeling my weariness most, and darkest 

fell the night, 
Or ever I was aware, there came a flood of light. 

Through wearisome, doubting 3-ears, my soul had 

been in quest 
Of higher walks of being, and deeper depths of 

rest ; 
But seeing a wounded side, touching a wounded 

palm, 
Or ever I was aware, there came a wondrous 

calm. 

And I found my faith awake, her clear e}'e fixed 

above, 
With a rapture drinking in the light of perfect 

love ; 
While over nry melting heart a purer will did 

dawn, 
Or ever I was aware, my wa}*ward will was gone. 



LOOKETII FORTH AS THE MORNING. 93 



Though Ions: be the way we seek, suddenly light 
will fall, 

The moment we leave ourselves, and Christ is 

all in all ; 
The moment we break away from things we love 

the best, 
Or ever we are aware, we reach the mount of 

rest. 



WHO IS SHE THAT LOOKETH FORTH 
AS THE MORNING? 

"Who is she that lookcth forth as the morning, fair as the moon, 
clear as the sun, aud terrible as an army with banners?" 

Who is she that looketh out upon the darkness 

of the world, 
Like the coming of an army with its banners all 

unfurled ? 
With a fuller glory round her than the brightest 

morn can show, 
And her garments Ho wing whiter than the whitest 

driven snow? 
'Tis the coming of the Church of God most high ! 

Hallelujah ! 
For Jesus hath washed her in his blood all white, 
And sent her to spread in lines of golden light, 
That he for the love of a lost world did die, 
Hallelujah, hallelujah ! 
Fair as the moon, 

Clear as the sun, 
To holiness soon ' 

The world will be won. 



94 SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 

Who is she that corneth bearing in her hand a 

cross of light, 
And an overflowing fountain that doth wash the 

sinner white ? 
With a voice that wakes the sleeper and a look 

that wins the lost, 
Giving peace to all the weary on a sea of sorrow 

tossed ? 
"lis the coming of the Church, etc. 

Who is this that corneth bearing precious prom- 
ises of love, 

To a world that lies in darkness from a world of 
light above? 

With the means for the renewal and the washing 
white as snow 

Of all them that trust in Jesus and unto the foun- 
tain go ? 

Tis the coming of the Church, etc. 



LIFT ME UP, O JESUS! 

" This thy stature is like a palm-tree. ... I said, I will 20 up to 
the palm-tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof.' 1 

Lift me up, O Jesus ! higher still and higher, 
Till I lose the thraldom of each low desire ; 
Let thy cross of glory only hold my heart, 
And the perfect fulness of thy love impart. 

Lift me up, O Jesus ! to the fuller light, 
Where the cloudless sunshine falls upon the sight ; 
Where this painful fearing shall forever cease, 
In the full enjoyment of thy perfect peace. 



GOING FORTH WITH J 95 

Lift me up, O Jesus ! nearer, nearer thee, 
Where my restless Longings all at rest shall be ; 
Where mine eye beholding form of love divine. 
There may come a moulding of my will to thine. 

Lift me up, Jesus ! higher still, and higher, 
Seraphim, fly swiftly, touch my lips with lire ! 
That while God is calling, who will servant be? 
All niy soul ma}' answer, here am I ; send me ! 



GOING FORTH WITH JESUS. 



Going forth with Jesus, leaving doubts and fears, 
Trusting but in Jesus all my future years ; 
Hearing his voice only, counting all but loss 
For the cleansing virtue of the wondrous cio-js. 
I am going forth with Jesus, 
To publish da}' and night, 
That the precious blood of Jesus 
Can wash and keep us white : 
That the precious blood of Jesus 
Shall lill the world with light. 

Going forth with Jesus, breaking all the ties 
That would hold my spirit from the heavenly 

prize ; 
Loving only Jesus, knowing but his own, 
Parting with all pleasures for the cross alone. 
I am going forth with Jesus, etc. 



SOLOMON'S SONG RE-SUNG. 



Going forth with Jesus, oh how sweet the way ! 

To be his companion eveiy happy day ; 

Hearing his voice morning, noon ; and through 

the night 
Feeling he waits near me till the dawning light. 
I am going forth with Jesus, etc. 

Going forth with Jesus, telling where I go 
How the blood of Jesus washed me white as snow ; 
How each day it keeps me free from sinful stains, 
While o'er all my being, Jesus only reigns. 
I am going forth with Jesus, etc. 

Going forth with Jesus, he my guide shall be, 
Till I pass the valley, to the crystal sea ; 
Then with angel harpers, in a world of light, 
I will tell how Jesus washed my garments white. 
I am going forth with Jesus, etc. 



LEANING ON THE A*RM OF JESUS. 

"Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning 
upon her beloved?" 

We are coming up out 
Of the wilderness of doubt, 

Leaning on the arm of Jesus ; 
We are pressing our way 
To the fuller light of day, 

Leaning on the arm of Jesus. 
That blessing is the deepest, purest, and best, 

The blood which from bondage frees us ; 
That rest is the sweetest of all earthly rest, 
Leaning on the arm of Jesus. 



LEAXIXG ON THE ABM OF JESUS. 9< 

We are fearing no foe, 
As to higher jo}~s we go, 

Leaning on the arm of Jesus ; 
And the love of our God 
In each heart is shed abroad, 

Leaning on the arm of Jesus. 
That blessing, etc. 

With our garment of white, 
We are walking in the light, 

Leaning on the arm of Jesus ; 
And we never can stray. 
Or be lost along the way. 

Leaning on the arm of Jesus. 
That blessing, etc. 

We have nothing to bear, 
For we lose the weight of care, 

Leaning on the arm of Jesus ; 
And our fulness of peace, 
Shall evermore increase, 

Leaning on the arm of Jesus. 
That blessing, etc. 



OTHER POEMS. 



HYMNS ON THE TRANSFIGURATION. 



HOLY FEAR. 

"And they feared as they entered into the cloud." 

The three disciples feared to walk 

With Jesus where he led, 
And trembled when they heard him talk 

With men they knew were dead. 

They feared the cloud which only brought 

A glory from the skies, 
That in their natures might be wrought, 

The life which never dies. 

So when the voice of Jesus rings, 

And glory round us rolls, 
We fear the very cloud that brings 

The blessings to our souls. 

All ye- who long for perfect love, 
Which doubt nor fear can shroud, 

~By faith rise to that mount above 
And pass into the cloud. 

Fear not, and you shall now be blest, 
With heart and soul made clean, 

And live a life of perfect rest 
Where Christ alone is seen. 



102 TALKING OF CALVARY. 



TRANSFORMING POWER OF PRAYER. 

"And as he prayed the fashion of his countenance was altered, and 
his raiment was white and glistering." 

As Jesus humbly bowed in prayer, 
His raiment changed to white, 

The fashion of his face more fair 
Than all the sons of light. 

So when in prayer we humbly kneel, 

The mercy-seat in view, 
A change doth o'er our spirits steal, 

And we are wrought anew. 

When guilt and sin our hearts confess, 

With sorrow most profound, 
The robe of Jesus' righteousness 

Doth sweetly fold us round. 

Though shade of sin could never be 

On life of Christ so fair, 
He taught us in the mount, how we 

May be transformed by praj-er. 



TALKING OF CALVARY. 

" And spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. ' 

To the mount of holy flame 
Moses and Elias came 
From their rest in light above, 
To behold incarnate Love, 
Talk of bloody conflict nigh, 
When the Lord himself should die. 



JESUS ONLY. 103 

Wondering they beheld the man 
Who should end redemption's plan, 
That divine one whom the}' saw 
Through the shadows of the law ; 
Now the dawning age of grace 
Shone out from the Saviour's face. 

Could he bear the thorny crown ? 
Could he dare the Father's frown ? 
Would his mighty love prevail 
O'er the wound of spear and nail? 
So they talked of his decease, 
While the answers gave them peace. 

Love so deep, so broad, and high, 
Full a thousand times could die ; 
Though two worlds and hell should frown, 
He could wear the thorny crown. 
While the} r talked, the Saviour's face 
Changed, and glory filled the place. 



JESUS ONLY. 

"And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no man save 
Jesus only." 

When the three disciples bowed 
On the mount beneath the cloud, 
Glory swept them through and through, 
Drifting former things from view, 
And by perfect love set free, 
Jesus only could they see. 



104 GOOD TO BE HERE. 

Prophets clad in raiment bright, 
Sank before the greater light ; 
This is rny beloved Son, 
Spake the high and hory one ; 
Gazing there, on bended knee, 
Jesus only could the}' see. 

When upon the mount we go, 
'Neath the glory bending low, 
Near the blood besprinkled throne, 
Talk with Jesus all alone, 
Every cloud of doubt must flee, 
Jesus only shall we see. 

Jesus only be our light, 

And the pathway must be bright ; 

Jesus onl}- seen and felt, 

Every cloud of doubt shall melt ; 

Jesus onl} T be our sta} T , 

Safe we reach eternal day. 



GOOD TO BE HERE. 

" It is good for us to be here.'" 

How blest this hour, how passing sweet, 
To gather round the mercy-seat, 

And offer praise to him whose smile 
Transfigures all our souls the while. 

Here on the mount with Christ alone, 
We see the grandeur of his throne, 
And lost in glory from above 
Drink in the fulness of his love. 



GOOD TO BE HERE. 105 

Here would we build, and here abide, 
With prophets at the Saviour's side, 
Here on the mount would spend our days, 
Till lost in everlasting praise. 

Not j~et for us the mansion bright ; 
We leave the mount to join the light, 
And win, by doing each his best, 
The mount of everlasting rest. 



CLOSET SONGS. 



SHUT IN. 

" When thou prayest, enter into thy closet." 

Shut in with Jesus, oh how sweet 
The silence of this calm retreat ! 
Here, while I meditate and pray, 
All doubt and darkness flee away ; 
And through the sky the prayer-perfume 
Floats from the censer to my room. 

Shut in with Jesus, here a while 
Bathed in the sunshine of his smile, 
My soul is lost in visions bright 
Of that sweet countiy out of sight ; 
For faith doth cull its fadeless bloom, 
And with the fragrance fill my room. 

Shut in with Jesus, as I kneel 
He doth his wondrous love reveal : 
And resting on each promise sweet 
I lav my burdens at his feet ; 
While from my room across the tide, 
I see the heavens opened wide. 



THE CLOSET HOUR. 107 



Shut in with Jesus, here I learn 

What things to cherish 3 what to spurn ; 

How in this world of fading light 

To keep the better world in sight. 

And yield the things that please me best 

To gain my everlasting rest. 



THE CLOSET HOUR. 

There is a time when God's great word, 
Falls o'er my heart with cleansing power, 

And all nry soul to prayer is stirred, — 
It is the hallowed closet hour. 

No sound of strife doth e'er invade. 

Nor any earthly joy po 
The holy calm which doth pervade 

A heart that waits for God to bless. 

Oh closet hour, thou dost reveal 

God's judgment and his mercy sweet, 

And lead me as a ehild to kneel 
Submissive at the Saviour's feet. 

Thou dost impart new life and strength 

Unto nry soul, and I can see 
The depth and height, the breadth and length 

Of Christ's amazing love for me. 

With thee the Saviour comes and brings 
Divine revealings, old and new ; 

And all that feast of heavenly things 
He sweetly hallows, feasting too. 



108 AWAY TO THE MERCY-SEAT. 

O closet hour, O wealth of clays ! 

O calm like that the heavens wear ! 
Come often, till I thrill with praise 

The harp that now is tuned to prayer. 



AWAY TO THE MERCY-SEAT. 

" He went away and prayed." 

Away from the hum of the crowded street, 

The grip of mone3 T -mart, 
Away to the calm of the merc}^seat, 
Where all that is holy, divine, and sweet 

Falls round the weary heart. 

Awa}^ in the morn ere labors begin, 

Devoutly read and pray, 
That the Christ of God to thy heart come in, 
And keep it untouched by the blight of sin 

Through all the toilsome day. 

Away when the bustle of toil has fled, 

With heart o'erflowing tell 
Tlrv thanks for a bountiful table spread, 
For the strength of heart and the strength of head 

To do thy duty well. 

Away to the closet when bright hopes flee, 

And eyes with tears grow dim ; 
For a Saviour prayed in Gethsemane, 
And the angels will come to strengthen thee 
As the angel strengthened him. 



THREE TIMES A DAY. 109 

THREE TIMES A DAY. 

"Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray. 11 

Three times a day 

Did prophets pray : 
Am I purer. Lord, than they? 
Daniel dared the lions' den. 
Would not yield to sinful men, 
And though but an exile's son 
Rose the first in Babylon. 

He did pray 

Three times a day. 

From the fiercely-heated flame 
The three Hebrews safely eame ; 
With them through the furnace trod 
One like to the Son of God. 

They did pray 

Three times a day. 

David from the harp hath flung 
Rhymeless gems for every tongue, 
And though born to tend a fold, 
Kingly wore a crown of gold. 

He did prajr 

Three times a day. 

Holy men who loved God's Word 
Stood the test of fire and sword, 
And in dying left behind 
Bright examples for mankind. 

They did pra}' 

Three times a day : 
Am I purer, Lord, than they ? 



110 SEEKING JESUS. 



CAST ME NOT AWAY FROM THY 
PRESENCE. 

By the weight of guilt oppressed, 
Lord, I come to thee for rest ; 
Only strength of love divine 
Can remove this load of mine : 
From thy presence while I pray, 
Jesus, cast me not away. 

Dark, — mj* soul is dark within, 
Shadowed b}" the curse of sin ; 
Dark the road I've wandered o'er, 
Dark the pathway on before ; 
From tlry presence, where is day, 
Jesus, cast me not away. 

Thou alone canst light nry road, 
Thou alone canst take my load ; 
Only blood which thou hast spilt 
Can remove the stains of guilt : 
From thy presence while I pray, 
Jesus, cast me not away. 



SEEKING JESUS. 

" Thy face, Lord, will I seek." 

In the closet, all alone, 

Lord, I come to seek thy face ; 
While I make my longings known, 

With tlry gloiy fill the place. 



WAITING OX THE LORD. HI 

Give me strength of heart to bear 
Scorn of men and wound of creed, 

And to preach thee everywhere, 
By the loving word and deed. 

Thou hast all my weakness seen, 

Every sin in every place : 
With thy precious blood make clean ; 

Lord, for this I seek thy face. 

Bathe my soul with light divine, 
Thou who art of light the fount, 

That each thought and deed ma}' shine 
With the glory of the Mount. 

Give my faith a large increase, 

As thou dost thy face reveal ; 
Fill me with thy perfect peace 

While before thy feet I kneel. 

May my soul with ravished sight 

Through the Word thy footsteps trace ; 

In the dark and in the light 
May I seek and see thy face ! 



WAITING ON THE LORD. 

Abiding here where righteousness 
And peace each other sweetly kiss, 
Where truth and mercy blend their ra}-s 
To gild the rising daj' of grace : 
I see the central sun of love 
Which lighteth all things from above, 
Waiting on the Lord. 



112 CAST THY BUBDEX OX THE LOBD. 

The truths that were half hid from sight 
Shine out in purer, clearer light ; 
The doubts that filled nry soul with dread 
Like mists before the sun have fled ; 
New strength to nobl}' work m} T part 
In God's great plan, inspires nry heart, 
Waiting on the Lord. 

I learn how in this world of strife 
To win the crown of endless life, 
How swift the moments glide away 
That hide from view the judgment-day ; 
And hear the ever deepening strain, 
" All but the holy live in vain," 
Waiting on the Lord. 

I feel the calm of those who know 
In whom they trust, and catch the glow 
Of holy thought, and feel the rest 
Prepared for those who love God best 
Sink o'er my spirit, while each clay 
But clearer lights my heavenly way, 
Waiting on the Lord. 



CAST THY BURDEN ON THE LORD. 

Murmur not at sore oppressings, 

Cold neglect or angiy word, 
For our burdens turn to blessings 

When we cast them on the Lord. 
This is why the grief is given, 

Wound from things we love the best, 
That our spirits may be driven 

To a more enduring rest. 



113 



When the seenes of pleasure please us, 

For this world alone we live, 
Then to bring us nearer Jesus 

God doth heavy burdens give. 
When unholy lives are bringing 

To our hearts a sad reward, 
Comes the voice of mercy ringing, 

" Cast thy burden on the Lord." 

Not alone on sinful weakness 

Falls the crushing weight of care ; 
Those who bear the cross with meekness, 

Sorrow's burden too must bear. 
This is how God brings us nearer 

To himself, day after da}', 
And our rest will be the dearer 

For the burdens by the way. 

Some within their bosoms cany 

Wounds from Satan's poisoned sword ; 
Do not longer fearing tarry, 

Cast yourselves upon the Lord. 
Jesus is our sorrow sharer, 

He hath suffered heart and limb ; 
Jesus is our burden bearer, 

Rest we all our weiarht on him. 



PEACE. 



" Peace," you know, was in the singing 
Which the shepherds heard that nightr 

When the angels passed them, bringing 
Earthward, tidings of delight. 



114 THE PRISONER'S SIGH. 

" Peace," you know, was in the greeting 
Which the lone disciples heard, 

When into their evening meeting 
Carne the newly risen Lord. 

" Peace" it was that o'er the ocean 
Lashed to fury, sweetly rose ; 

And the waves amidst their motion 
Stood obedient in repose. 

So that voice is still commanding, 
When the waves of sorrow roll, 

Peace, that passeth understanding, 
To becalm the troubled soul. 



THE PRISONER'S SIGH. 

" Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee.' 1 

Sighs from purer lips are winging 

Where the prayer and praises meet, 
And the universe is bringing 

Worlds of glory to thy feet. 
While the pure with pure are vying 

To applaud thy loving sway, 
Lord, wilt hear my feeble sighing 

In this prison far away? 

Bound by wasting chains of sickness 
From which death alone can free, 

It would strengthen me in weakness 
To be heard in heaven by thee : 



LOVE'S QUESTION. 115 

Hear and answer by revealing 

Why at noon the night should fall ; 

And the blessedness of feeling 
That thy love is over all. 

Calm the tumult of my crying, 

As thou didst the angry sea ; 
Let the discord of my sighing 

Be as music sweet to thee. 
May the sun of mercy risen, 

Risen ne'er to set again, 
Shine upon me in this prison 

Till I praise thee for my pain ! 



LOVE'S QUESTION. 

"Lovest thou me?" Ah, Lord, the wasted 

Hours of life doth plainly show, 
And the pleasure I have tasted, 

Tasting still, all answer no. 
Prayerless days and thoughtless actions, 

Promises that bloomed to die, 
And the power of earth's attractions 

Give the terrible reply. 

" Lovest thou me?" the faint resistance 

To each wrong I daily make, 
And that shadow of assistance 

Given others for thy sake, 
Smite me, as before thee kneeling, 

I would my devotion tell, 
With the terrible revealing 

That I do not love thee well. 



116 TRUST IN GOB. 



" Lovest thou me?" ah ! why that question 

From love's lips to one loved so ? 
Wiry that withering suggestion 

From nry heart to answer no ? 
Oh, the curse of idle living 

What can never be lived o'er ! 
Help me, by the past forgiving, 

Lord, to serve and love thee more. 



TRUST IN GOD. 

" Trust in Him at all times." 

When success its pleasures bring, 
Trust in God. 

When the clouds their shadows fling, 
Trust in God. 

Through every scene, at every time, 

In God repose a trust sublime. 

When the children round thee pla} T , 
Trust in God. 

When death smites them into clay, 
Trust in God. 

Though deep the sorrow, sharp the rod, 

Let nothing shake thy trust in God. 

Friends will leave when sorrows blight, 
Trust in God. 

Wealth will take a sudden flight, 
Trust in God. 

Let every idol turn to dust, 

In God be evermore tlry trust. 



GLORY TO THE NAZARENE. 117 



WORDS OF COMFORT. 

There is a rest on Jesus' breast 

For all by weight of care oppressed, 

And comfort sweet for them that meet 
In prayer around his mercy-seat. 

There is a light to guide aright 

Unto that city, out of sight ; 
And none need stra} T , or miss their way, 

Who seek the world of perfect day. 

There is a sweet and calm retreat, 

Where storms come not or tempests beat ; 

Its hallowed sod alone is trod 
By those who truly worship God. 



GLORY TO THE NAZARENE. 

Passing by each fading treasure, 
Trump of fame and smile of pleasure, 

Going to the Nazarene, 
Who for every earthly loss 
Giveth gold unmixed with dross, 
'Neath the shadow of the cross, 

Glory to the Nazarene. 

Leaving philosophic questions, 
And all skeptical suggestions, 

Thinking with the Nazarene. 
Farewell, faithless, doubting 3-ears, 
Farewell, trembling steps and tears, 
Plain and sweet the way appears, 

Glory to the Nazarene. 



118 MORNING SONG. 

Shut up in a sweet seclusion, 
Angel forms the sole intrusion, 

Kneeling with the Nazarene ; 
Drifting on a sea of light, 
Out of wrong into the right, 
Out of weakness into might, 

Glory to the Nazarene. 

Going to my daily calling, 
Without thought or fear of falling, 

Walking with the Nazarene. 
Ever since I learned to pray, 
Every step along the way 
Brightens to the perfect day, 

Glory to the Nazarene. 



MORNING SONG. 

The wild bird now from its nest is springing 
Up to the cloudland, cheerily singing, 
Making the universe ring with the story 
Of God and his goodness, his greatness and gloiy. 

Shall I, who have reason divine in me dwelling, 

Go forth to nry labor in silence, rebelling, 

Not thanking that God who in darkness and 

slumber, 
Watched over me, and his worlds without number ? 

If I ask for a blessing, God then will bestow it, 
Though I hear not his voice nor see him, I know 

it; 
By the pen of the prophet and saint he has spoken ; 
Not a promise of all he has made will be broken. 



EVE XIX G PSALM. 119 



Then go forth, my song, with a far flight to heaven, 

In a prayer that the sins of my soul be forgiven ; 

And though Satan ma}' strive with his wiles and 
waylaying, 

I am nobler for thanking and stronger for pray- 
ing. 

I shall feel as I toil there is one for above me, 
Who, though he may chasten, will watch o'er and 

love me, 
And lead me at last to a land full of beauty, 
From a sorrowing world, by the pathway of duty. 



EVENING PSALM. 

I would speak to thee, my Maker, now the day 

draws near its close, 
While all nature and all being sinks into a deep 

repose. 
In the shadows of the twilight, in the evenings' 

holy calm, 
I would raise to thee, my Maker, all iny worship 

in a psalm. 

For the sin I have committed through this da}- of 

toil and care, 
I ask thy blessed pardon, Lord, I ask it in a 

prayer. 
Thou wilt not scorn a wayward child, that comes 

to thee, and brings 
A broken and a wounded heart for shelter 'neath 

thy wings. 



120 EVENING PSALM. 

And let unnumbered blessings, Lord, this night 

around us fall, 
Like dews which o'er the hills descend, enough 

for rne and all. 
Blessing cannot exhaust thy love, nor gifts thy 

boundless store, 
We only have to praying take, and come again 

for more. 

Be with the sailor tossed about, far on the path- 
less main ; 

Be with the soldier bivouack'd upon the battle-plain ; 

Pass through the lone, sick chamber, Lord, and 
lightens with tlry smile 

The lips that close forever more upon a world of 
trial. 

I know thy name is merciful : the wrong that I 

have done, 
Thou wilt forgive me when I pray, for Jesus is 

thy Son ; 
And though the angels round thy throne , sing 

ever of thy worth, 
Thou still wilt hear me when I plead, in this lone 

room on earth. 

And Jesns values dearer far than strains which [ 
round him roll, 

The accents rising heavenward from one repent- 
ing soul ; 

And dearer far, to his kind heart, than lay from 
harp of gold, 

The bleating of a wandering lamb, without the 
heavenly fold. 



LONGINGS. I'll 



LONGINGS. 



Lord, to know thy gracious will, 

Is niy every day endeavor. 
And through good report and ill 
To be thine and thine forever. 
Cleanse and purify my heart ; 
Let me never more depart 
From the shadow of thy wings, 
Hungering after earthly thin \ 

Lead me to the fountain where 

My spirit may drink deep of thee; 
In the solemn depths of prayer, 

Let me all thy glory see. 
When on bended knee at morn, 
Call me son. though lowly born ; 
When on bended knee at even, 
Father, hear my prayer in heaven. 



HYMN OF CONSECRATION. 

O Master of the harvest fields ! I pray 
Thee take me as a laborer of thine : 

The pleasures of the world I east away, 
And all its fleeting joys at once resign. 

Take all my gifts, for thou hast given all : 

Take all my thought, from thee alone it came ; 

But oh ! the offering seems so poor and small, 
I la}' it at thy feet with fear and shame. 



122 HYMN OF CONSECRATION. 

Now on the altar cleanse the gift from dross ; 

Send tlry refining spirit from above, 
That with clean hands I may take np the cross, 

And tell the story of the Saviour's love. 

Without thy aid all work of man is vain ; 

Thy hidden wisdom to my soul impart, 
That I may speak the message clear and plain, 

With saving power to every wayward heart. 

Help me to lead a blameless life below. 

That b} T example I may preach thy word ; 
And in the humblest duty ever show 

I'm walking in the footsteps of my Lord. 

Give me a willing heart to undertake 
With earnest purpose every trying task, 

Knowing that for our dear Redeemer's sake 
Thou wilt give more than I can think or ask. 

More faith, when faith seems growing dim and 
weak ; 
More strength, when prayer seems shorn of 
eagle wings ; 
And all my soul through faith in Christ shall 
seek 
Of heavenly meetness and of heavenly things. 

Let eveiy hour be usefully employed, 

Each da} r leave something finished or begun, 

That no part of my life may be a void, 
With so much work for Jesus to be done. 



OBEDIEXCE. 123 



Oh ! make the study of the sacred page 
My chief delight, in sickness or in health ; 

And save me from the errors of the age, 

Its thirst for pleasure, and its race for wealth. 

And when on sabbath day I lay thy Word 
Before the people, give it mighty power : 

Let man be silent, God alum' be heard, 

And bless thy vineyard with a gracious shower. 

In every duty help me to be true ; 

In every motive help me to be pure ; 
With cheerfulness my daily task pursue, 

With patience every trying cross endure. 

If thou shouldst deem it wise and best to send 
Affliction, with its scourge, to me or mine, 

Help me submissive 'neath tin' rod to bend. 
And to thy hands what best I love resign. 

And when at last before thy bar I stand, 

Through Jehus' merits lie my sins forgiven ; 
Give me a place with saints at thy right hand, 
A happ}* home for evermore in heaven. 



OBEDIENCE. 

Oh ! thou who didst with thine own blood 
The vengeance of the Father stay, 

Inspire my heart with sacred love, 
Thy will in all things to obe}\ 



124 UR FA THEE WHICH AR T IX HE A VEX. 

When friends forsake and cares invade, 
'Tis sweet upon tlrv breast to lean, 

And feel thy love is still the same, 

That through all time has changeless been. 

The world is false, but thou art true ; 

Beneath thy cross I rest secure : 
The world is death, but thou art life ; 

For thee I will all things endure. 



OUR FATHER WHICH ART IX HEAVEN. 

How sweet it is when o'er life's ocean driven, 
Tossed on the waves, or wrecked upon the shore, 
To know we have a Father high in heaven, 

Who waits to lead us there when storms are o'er. 
Storms cannot drive us from the love of God, 

Nor suffering, nor death, nor any pain, 
And singing thus we bow beneath the rod, 

'* Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name." 

Hallowed be thy name for all thy care. 

For giving us thine own anointed Son, 
To bear the burdens which we could not bear, 

To bleed and die for all that we have done. 
What can we give Thee for that mighty love, 

Which caught us burning brands from out the 
flame ? 
We kneel in dust, and cry to thee above, 

" Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name." 



BE STILL, POOL' HEART 125 



When friends forsake us and the idols sweet, 

Are broken cisterns in the dark that we 
Have reared, fall shattered at our feet, 

Whom look we, our Father ! but to thee? 
Keep us. oh! keep us, 'neath thy shielding wing, 

For thou, (rod ! art ever more the same. 
And teaeh us in each trying hour to sing, 

-Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name." 



BE STILL, POOR HEART. 

Be still, poor heart, though dim the way, 
Beyond the darkness lies the day, 
Beyond this tear-vale sweetly smiles 
The sunlight of the Eden isles. 

Be still, poor heart, if thou abide 
Close to the Saviour's bleeding side, 
No pang of grief that wrings the breast 
Shall cloud the haven of thy rest. 

Be still, poor heart, Gethsemane 
Was trodden once for love of thee ; 
And Calvary's cross tells o'er each da}* 
How Jesus bore tlry sins away. 

Be still, poor heart, and open now 

To him who comes with thorn-crowned brow ; 

Drive out each soul-defiling sin, 

And let the Lamb of God come in. 



126 JESUS, TAKE ME HOME. 



JESUS, TAKE ME HOME. 

I am growing weak and weary, 

Jesus, take me home. 
Earthly scenes are dark and dreary, 

Jesus, take me home. 
I long to see the heavenly plains, 
Where everlasting beauty reigns, 
And all that's best of life remains. 

Home is dear, but heaven is dearer, 

Jesus, take me home. 
Friends are near, but thou art nearer, 
Jesus, take me home. 
That in a union sweet and close, 
With life that never sorrow knows, 
M3" wearied limbs may find repose. 

Long my life has been declining, 

Jesus, take me home. 
Pray I not with sad repining, 

Jesus, take me home. 
Where faded j'outh revives again, 
Without the teardrop or the pain, 
The lieav}' cross and sinful stain. 

Many friends have crossed the river, 
Jesus, take me home. 
To their rest and thine forever, 

Jesus, take me home. 
The nights and days pass slowly b} T , 
While on my couch I wailing lie, 
Waiting for Jesus, and to die. 



127 



When I've borne what is assigned me, 
Jesns, take me home. 
When the test fire has refined me, 

Jesns, take me home. 
My home, sweet home. I'm Hearing fast, 
The rough voyage o'er, its dangers past, 
The harbor entering safe at last. 



LOST JOY. 

" Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.'" 

Oh ! where is that delicious flood 

Of heavenly delight, 
My soul enjoyed when Jesus' blood, 

First washed her garments white? 

I miss the joy his name inspired, 

The rapture pure and sweet, 
When sitting first in white attired, 
Before his wounded feet. 

I know his love is never less 

Than infinitely deep. 
And that sweet joy he gave to bless 

He wills that I should keep. 

But I have wandered, Lord, from thee, 
And shunned to bear thy cross, 

"While joy and peace has fled from me, 
And mine has been the loss. 



128 A SWEET CONFESSION'. 

While low before th} T feet I kneel, 
And my confessions pour, 

Thy face in mercy, Lord, reveal ; 
The joy I lost restore. 



A SWEET CONFESSION. 

"Lord, I liave loved the habitation of thy house, and the 
place where thine honor dweUeth." 

How sweet, when for a world that's new, 
Life's sun upon the old doth set, 

To see the 3'ears pass in review, 
Without a fear or vain regret. 

To know however much of care 

Has crossed the pathwaj- newly trod, 

That life has been a life of prayer. 
And faith upon the Son of God. 

No place on earth has been so sweet, 

Nor habitation loved so well, 
As that where saints together meet, 

And God himself delights to dwell. 

Such hallowed memories cheer the way. 
That else were sad and full of gloom, 

And light up with the glow of day 
The dreary entrance to the tomb. 

How sweet in life's decline to know, 

That through our Lord's redeeming love, ' 

We go from God's own house below," 
To that blest one prepared above. 



SAFETY OF THE GOOD. 129 



SAFETY OF THE GOOD. 



The good are safe, and need not fear 
The danger distant seen, or near ; 
For at their side with flaming sword, 
Doth walk the angel of the Lord. 

With shield along the King's highway, 
h the day : 
And where they spread their couch at night, 
He watches till the morning light. 

No fear may haunt, no ioQ molest, 
Or shade of guilt disturb their rest ; 
When most opposed and sorest tried, 

lie points them to the Saviour's side. 

Though pain shall waste them for the tomb, 
That angel watches in the room, 
And all things ready, leads the way 
To portals of eternal day. 



THE CHALLENGE OF A PURE HEART. 

" Esamine Die, O Lord! and prove me." 

O how great is that salvation, 

God hath sent from heaven above, 

Bringing us in close relation 
To the Fountain of all love ! 



130 PERFECT PEACE. 

Vast that power, which, sin removing, 
Leaves the heart so full of trust, 

That it calls God to the proving 
Of what once was sinful dust ; 

Seeks the process of refining, 
Where the great Refiner stays, 

Till he sees before him shining 
The clear image of his face ; 

Asks for test that rudely dashes 

Every idol into dust, 
That, like Job in fortune's ashes, 

It may prove its perfect trust. 



PERFECT PEACE. 



Oh, stay not the mind on the world and its pleas- 
ures, 
For restless and false every earthly delight ; 
At morn we repose on the strength of our treas- 
ures, 
And mourn the}- have left us ere cometh the 
night. 

The peace that is perfect, serene and abiding, 
No pleasure of earth hath once promised or 
given ; 
'Tis found, all our hopes and our sorrows confid- 
ing 
In Jesus, and laying up treasure in heaven. 



SECRET FAULTS. ' 131 

Our God is a rock, and the mind ever staying 
On him, shall the peace of his being possess ; 

And tempests of sorrow Ms mandate obeying. 
Disrobe all their terrors to brighten and bless. 

My soul for this rest all the world hath forsaken ; 

Her wounds she would heal with its life-giving 
balm ; 
Oh, peace that is perfect, divine, and unshaken, 

Encircle me now with thy sunlight and culm. 



SECRET FAULTS. 

" Cleanse Thou me from secret faults.*' 

While before thy footstool kneeling, 
All the loosened bonds set free. 

Secret sins of thought and feeling 
Looked upon alone by thee. 

Save me from the wild heart beating- 
After pleasure while I pray, 

And the guirt, like canker eating 
All the better life away. 

Save from sins in secret reigning, 
Where thy love should but control, 

And each secret folly staining 
The white raiment of my soul. 

Jesus by his word hath bidden 
Me to sup with him and rest ; 

But the secret sins, though hidden, 
Keep me ever from his breast. 



132 THE LORD'S SECRET. 

While before thy footstool kneeling, 
Set me from the bondage free ; 

Secret sins of thought and feeling 
Looked upon alone by thee. 



THE LORD'S SECRET. 

" The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him." 

Who shall understand the deep. 

Broad streams of life that round ns flow ? 
Who shall that great secret keep. 

Which holy angels never know? 

Who shall understand the ways 
Of God in form of flame or dove ? 

Tell how blend the mystic rays 
Of Justice and incarnate Love? 

They who fear with holy fear, 

And with a blood-washed vision sweep 
Things far distant and things near. 

The secrets of the Lord do keep. 

When in prayer the lips unseal, 

Beneath the banner Christ unfurled, 

God doth secret things reveal 

Withholden from the outer world. 

To the lowly, pure in heart, 

Redeemed by blood from sinful curse, 
God delighteth to impart 

The mysteries of his universe. 



PLEASANT PLACES. 133 



PLEASANT PLACES. 

" The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places." 

A pleasant place is that where praise 

From holy hearts cloth heavenward rise, 
And mercy Hoods with golden rays 
The path of those who seek the skies. 

And pleasant is that spot where Hows 
The crimson tide that maketh clean, 

And wearied soul in sweet repose 
On bosom of the Lord doth lean. 

And pleasant that secluded place. 

Where faith with all prevailing might 
Reveals the Saviour's loving face. 

And floods the soul with heavenly light. 

They all are pleasant places where 
The heart is sanctified by grace ; 

And he whose very life is prayer 
Can always find a pleasant place. 



134 THE TOUCH OF FAITH. 



THE TOUCH OF FAITH. 

Hush ! breathe not that I am coming ; if he knew 

he might condemn ; 
But I feel my wound will vanish when I touch his 

garment's hem : 
Great physicians have been spending all their 

skill upon my case, 
But he bears a healing virtue in the sunshine of 

his face. 

I have heard of wondrous healings he has wrought 

by word and touch, 
And to speak my bleeding issue into soundness is 

not much ; 
Shall I raise a ciy for mercy that will pierce his 

inmost soul? 
Xo ; if I can only touch him through the crowd, 

I shall be whole. 

Oh the pressing of the people, just to see a sight 

pass by ! 
Give me room, room ! I am dying for a cine lie 

can supply ; 
Nearer, nearer, breathless, bleeding, — crush me 

not as I bow low ! 
Touched him ! Oh what wondrous healing ! and 

the Master will not know. 



THE FATAL DELAY. 135 

Shone her face with glory lighted, beat her heart 

for J03* aloud ; 
Jesus turned upon her, speaking, " Some one 

touched me in the crowd." 
Trembled all her soul within her as she bowed 

low in the dust, 
Sobbing out the simple stor} 7 of her sorrow and 

her trust. 

Did the Great Physician spurn her, ask her pay 

for healing wrought? 
Tell her she had rudely stolen what she should 

have humbly sought ? 
No ; but his great heart of mercy yearned toward 

the trembling one, 
While he whispered words of comfort, praising all 

that faith had done. 



THE FATAL DELAY. 

A message had gone from the west to the east, 

Inviting the world to sit clown at the feast ; 

By highways and hedges, through back street and 

slum, 
The King's servants went and compelled men to 

come. 

There were many I-pray-thee-excuse-me's told, 
For the love of a wife, farm, oxen, and gold ; 
The world won the rich, but the poor with delight 
Went up to the banquet in garments of white. 



136 THE PRODIGAL SOX. 

But one had delayed — he was bus}', no doubt ; 
Thought the King was too kind to let him stay 

out ; 
He often was warned, and would always reply, 
A season convenient will come by and by. 

Xow, when the last moment had drifted away, 
He saw the guests pass in their bridal array, 
And heard from the banqueting-room far above 
The triumph of song and the welcome of love. 

Then the past came rebuking, spectre-like, grim ; 
Too late ! Oh too late ! there was no robe for him : 
And a wail of despair went up to the skies, 
Like that of the lost when he suddenly dies. 



THE PRODIGAL SOX. 

RESTLESS. 

"Why should I be held in bondage, to a narrow 

world confined, 
With the chains of sober plodding rusting through 

my heart and mind? 
Shall the bird fill one ear only with die triumph 

of its song ? 
Or the eagle cease from soaring, when its wings 

are broad and strong? 



THE PRODIGAL SON. 137 

Shall the river in its flowing out toward the 

boundless sea, 
Stop in some low valle}-, saying, this is world 

enough for ine ? 
Is a man born as a flower, but to wither where it 

blooms ? 
Is it crime to leave the shadow of the household 

gods and tombs? 

Say, oh, balmy wind of summer ! hailest thou not 

every land? 
Speak, oli wild wave of the ocean ! greetest thou 

not every strand? 
Ho ! }*e winds and flowing rivers, ho ! ye winged 

songsters, free ; 
God, who made you for my pleasure, made he not 
the world for me? 

Sick am I, so sick and weary of this narrow, 
changeless clime, 

Of the worn-out paths of custom, and the meas- 
ured steps of time ; 

Noble longings, born of manhood, meet delay in 
ceaseless strife, 

Crumble into dust and ashes choking all the, 
streams of life. 

There's my brother, shallow-hearted, with whom 

things I hate agree, 
Through his mean consent to being that which 

he should never be ; 
For the mind assumes the nature of the thing 

whereon it feeds, 
And may narrow to the compass of the narrowest 

of creeds. 



138 THE PRODIGAL SOX. 

He had once a large ambition, but the sober 

world and skies 
Wrought the blankness of his features and the 

deadness of his eyes ; 
He had hopes that dimmed the morning with the 

brightness of their glow, 
But they settled down in shadows round his 

being long ago. 

Now he loves what once he hated ; and, his bat- 
tle banners furled, 

Thinks his dreary round of doing all that makes 
the mighty world : 

Let his soul rot out her splendor, let him quench 
her rising fires 

In the deep and stagnant water of unsatisfied 
desires ; 

But I'll to the world's great highwa}', leaving nar- 
rower paths behind, 

There to mingle with the fairest of all man and 
womankind ; 

Let the tendrils of affection in the glow of youth 
intwine 

Round a nature that shall hold me to a larger 
soul than mine. 

In my heart a pent up whirlwind storms and 

thunders at the door, 
While the cry for life and freedom rings above it 

evermore ; 
Life, with ever changing sweetness, life, in all her 

rainbow hues, 
Without rudeness of the Gentiles, without strait- 

ness of the Jews. 



THE PRODIGAL SOX. 139 

There is home ! well, home is nothing, when it 

narrows down so small ; 
There are tender ties ! what matter, when yon 

have outgrown them all ? 
Home is where the heart reposes, and its love the 

strongest tie ; 
Ma}- be, down the golden future, I will just come 

home to die. 

In the sylvan shades of pleasure, b}- her cool and 

placid streams, 
I shall find the consummation of my brightest 

flood of dreams ; 
Let my brother scorn the venture, in the world I 

place my trust, 
While he sits upon its threshold but to rotten and 

to rust. 

Where's nry portion, Father? Give it ! be your 

silence doubt or scorn, 
I should deem it weak to tariy in the place where 

I was born ; 
Thanks, farewell ! the soothing murmur of the 

world's great undertone 
Finds an answer in my bosom from a voice like 

to its own. 

DRIFTING. 

Ah, why did I sta}^ so long 
Shut up in a cheerless night, 

Away from the harp and song, 
Away from this world of light ? 



140 THE PRODIGAL SOX. 

I drift on a sea of joy 
To an ever joyous elime ; 

Wiry should the heart of a boy 
Be withered before its time? 

, Drifting away from the cold, 

Stiff form of a saintly hearth, 
The new face buries the old 

Down under its glow of mirth ; 
My father, he haunts me yet 

With show of tears at the door ; 
My brother, I'll soon forget 

What kind of a frown he wore. 

Drifting away into life, 

Be it right or be it wrong, 
I love the glorious strife 

Of this rosy land of song. 
Drifting away from the pool 

Of stagnant water and weeds, 
Away from the iron rule 

Of solemn faces and creeds. 



THE FAR COUNTRY. 

Here the birds have gayer plumage, floating under 

bluer skies ; 
Here the flower is ever fragrant, and the summer 

never dies ; 
Here is milk and hone}' flowing, wine and music, 

dance and mirth ; 
Take me to thy heart of gladness, thou paradise 

of earth ! 



THE PRODIGAL SOX. 1-11 

Here can dwell no narrow bigot, with a scripture 

quoting tougue, 
Nor a priest cry from the altar at the sin of being 

young ; 
Here the living sorrow never, and the dying but 

deplore 
They grew wearied out with pleasure when they 

might have tasted more. 

Gone are all the solemn faces that did haunt me 
everywhere, 

And the hollow, death-like moaning of that ever- 
lasting prayer. 

What has youth to do with praying, singing slow 
and solemn psalms, 

Sinking downward, vision-freighted, in the dead- 
est of all calms ? 

Come the moments overburdened with an ever 

varied bliss ; 
Was there ever life so golden, was there ever 

world like this ? 
Temples fling no dreary shadow, bells ring in no 

solemn fast ; 
'Tis enough to live the present without mourning 

for the past. 

Pleasure, come, and drift me onward, thro' and 

thro' thy paradise, 
With its sea of heaving bosoms, and its heaven of 

melting eyes ! 
Time is short to sip the nectar from each richly 

tinted flower, 
Help me crowd a world of sweetness into every 

passing hour. 



142 THE PRODIGAL SON. 

I will sound the depths of being, I will fathom 
all delights, 

Till my soul dare not look backward lest she fal- 
ter in her flights ; 

I will scale the highest mountains, every binding 
chain destro}', 

Till the fountains of my being break up into 
streams of joy. 

Hear the pealing of the laughter ! see the wine in 
rivers flow, 

And the whirling of the dancers with their bosoms 
white as snow ! 

Hear the volume of the music like a might}' thun- 
der-roll, 

Bidding all the merry-hearted to the banquet of 
the soul ! 

Now the joy-bells thrill their welcome ; how their 

silver voices woo 
From the old life, strait and narrow, to the 

other, broad and new ! 
Break thy bondage, heart, forever ! plume thy 

pinions, soul of fire, 
For the outer bound of pleasure, or in daring it 

expire. 



Spectres, ghastly shadows wearing, 
Back to depths from whence ye rose ! 

Wild eyes, with your horrid staring, 
Will ye never, never close ? 



THE PRODIGAL SON. 143 

Heaven above, why art thou raining 
Burning ashes through my brain? 

Driving reason to her waning, 
Never more to wax again ? 

"What a night ! did earth go reeling 

Down with thunder-crash to hell? 
Fur there comes a strange revealing 

That somewhere a something fell 
Shattered, with its fragments tilling 

All the waste its feet had crossed, 
And the mighty heavens thrilling 

With the fearful cry, " Lost ! lost ! " 



DESTITUTION. 

Destitute, cold, and alone, 

With shame burnt into my brow, 
And a face so altered grown 

That nobody knows me now. 
Old friends shrink out of my sight, 

For the world is strangely made, 
Giving a light for a light, 

Giving a shade for a shade. 

The gayest were round me drawn 

When mone}' a friend would buy, 
But now that my portion's gone 

They have left me here to die. 
Of hell or of heaven above 

This truth to my soul is born, 
The deeper the world doth love, 

The deeper the world doth scorn. 



144 THE PRODIGAL SOX. 

What though I have had my dream, 

And dregs are left in the cup, 
The heart can itself redeem 

If it only will bear up. 
Let hunger gnaw at my life, 

My very shadow be cursed, 
I can dare the world to strife, 

And make the best of the worst. 

Destitute, cold and alone, 

The glorious thing I did 
Hath wrought me a bed of stone 

With rags for a coverlid. 
I know far more than I knew, 

Though beaten and backward hurled : 
I have seen all through and through 

The hollow heart of the world. 



DEEPER DEPTHS. 

How the hopes within me sicken, 

Feeding, for my bread, the swine ! 
All the land is famine stricken, 

Famine-smit, this soul of mine : 
Perish — O my God ! I perish ! 

Deeper sink in misery ! 
Wonder if at home they cherish 

Any kindly thought for me ? 

Though I have spent all my living, 
Did nry father know my pain, 

Would he, now, the past forgiving, 
Take me to his home a<iain ? 



THE PRODIGAL SOX. 1-45 

Has my brother, shallow-hearted, 

Guiltless of my deep disgrace, 
Ever languished since we parted 

To behold his brother's face ? 

Oh that I had never squandered 

Youth and fortune, honor, worth ! 
Oh that I had never wandered 

From the hallowed place of birth ! 
There was plenty round me waving, 

There all heart should wish was mine ; 
Now my hunger stirs a craving 

For the husk}* food of swine. 

Comes the past around me stealing, 

Making loneliness more lone, 
While a Hood of tender feeling 

Melteth all my heart of stone. 
I will home, though undeserving, 

Sorrow for the sinning done, 
And ask but to die in serving 

Where I once was honored son. 



HOMEWAKD. 

Frown tlry worst, dark-splendid folly ! mock my 

rags, ye passers b}~ ! 
I will reach the home of boyhood, though I reach 

it but to die ! 
Home, still home, though left so madly ; home, 

dear shelter, calm and sweet. 
How I long to cross thy threshold, and to rest my 

weary feet ! 



146 THE PEOBIGAL SOX. 

Hollow-cheeked, and broken-hearted, with a load 
of rags and sin, — 

my brother ! O m}- father ! will ye know and 

let me in ? 

1 will ask no seat of honor, but creep to the 

meanest place, 
Where in serving I may hide me and my terrible 
disgrace. 

I did dream the world so lovely, and its pleasures 

passing fair ; 
But beneath the gilded surface, oh the canker 

worm is there ! 
Better far the sober quiet of my father's saintly 

hearth, 
Than the world's unhallowed laughter, and the 

whirlwind of its mirth. 

Should my father spurn my pleading, and my 

brother vent his scorn, 
I shall look upon their faces and the place where 

I was born : 
Life would have a clearer setting, death would be 

a message sweet, 
If I knew that I were dying somewhere near my 

father's feet. 

Home, once mine, there, there I see it ! spurned 
so madly, long ago ! 

Who comes running ? not my father ! one more 
bent and gray, I know. 

Nearer, nearer, breathless, hasting ; arms out- 
stretched and smiles I see ! 

O my father ! O 1113' father ! love for me, even 
me? 



REST AMIDST UNREST. 147 

Not the best robe — no, my father; not a jewel, 

not a ring- ! 
Must I wear them ? they will tarnish, worn by 

such a worthless thing. 
Kill the fatted calf, my father! make a merry 

feast for one 
| So defiled, and all unworthy to be called again 

thy son ! 

i 

Oh, what love ! and oh what sorrow ! I will never 

wander more ; 
Oh, what sadness and heart-breaking since we 

parted at this door ! 
Safe at home ! how sweet the shadow, blest the 

calm that reigns around ! 
I was worse than dead, my father ; I was lost — 

but now am found ! 



REST AMIDST UNREST. 

: 'In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in Me ye shall have 
peace." 

Storms without, but calm within, 

At peace, a world opposing ; 
Losing life a life to win, 

In strife, and } T et reposing : 
Hated when b} T love most blest, 

Friendless, and still befriended, 
Restless, knowing perfect rest, 

Defenceless, 3'et defended. 



148 SOUL BliEATHINGS. 

Poor, and still possessing all, 

In tears rejoicing ever ; 
Light, where deepest shadows fall, 

Borne down, but fainting never ; 
Wanderers, yet not astray, 

Unblest, and ever blessing ; 
Tribulation all the way, 

But peace in Christ possessing. 



SOUL BREATHINGS. 

Come, thou Spirit, wounding, healing, 
In the form of flame or dove ; 

Come, with all thy great revealing 
Of a Saviour's d}ing love. 

Waken every pure emotion, 

Scatter every rising fear, 
That in deep and strong devotion 

To the cross we may draw near. 

Come, the heaven of heavens unfolding, 
Crowns and kingdoms, shores of bliss, 

That the future life beholding, 
We maj T lose our love of this. 

Show us Jesus, bleeding, d}*ing, 
While we sing ; and as we pray, 

His most precious blood applying, 
Wash our guilty stains away. 



IF 'TWERXT FOR TUE GRACE OF GOD. 149 



REST, REST! 

Rest, rest, clear Lord, is there no place of rest, 
Where safe from storms my wearied soul lmiy 
hide? 

Nearer thy feet ? with John, upon thy breast ? 
Or far withiu the wound of thy dear side ? 

Rest, rest, dear Lord : my soul is tossed about, — 
Now anchored safe, now lost in stormy seas ; 

Her passengers are anger, fear, and doubt, 
When the}- should be but love and joy and peace. 

Rest, rest, dear Lord, oh hear nry solemn cry, 
Surrounded where thou art with all the blest ! 

Didst thou not in whirlwinds of anguish die, 
That I might know thine own sweet after-rest ? 

Rest, rest, O Lord, send rest ! the pain, the loss, 
Of this great strife is more than I can bear ! 

Nearer, I fainting press, unto thy cross ; 
O Lamb for sinners slain, receive me there ! 



IF 'TWERN'T FOR THE GRACE OF GOD. 

If 'twern't for the grace of God I never had seen 

this day. 
Six out of ten in the grave, and the others far 

awa} T ; 
Two are at work in the mines, one is afloat on the 

wave ; 
The other, God only knows if in or out of the 

grave. 



150 GETHSEMAN& 

Two lying dead, and so white — the}' were boys, 

in the early dawn, — 
And the onl} T girl that we had, in the next room, 

almost gone ; 
Smoothing the hair of the boys, to hear her cry 

" Home ! " and pass ! 
If 'twern't for the grace of God, I'd been down 

under the grass. 

One carried home in the night, the blood all over 

his face ; 
What should I do if I couldn't lean hard on the 

blessed grace? 
The other lingering, d}~ing, sinking slowly away ; 
If 'twern't for the grace of God I never had seen i 

this day. 

There's something about the grace, I don't under- 
stand it quite, 

That no matter what may come, it makes it ap- 
pear all right ; 

I've heard it often explained, in words that the 
learned make, 

But all I know, it's a thing that won't let my old 
heart break. 



GETHSEMAXE. 

The Saviour to the Garden strays, 

The last sad supper o'er, 
A burden on his spirit weighs, 
And that sweet sadness of his face 
Grows deeper than before. 



GETHSEMANE. 151 

The loving John doth nearer press 
To soothe the Master's heart ; 

So deep the pain of his distress 

He seeks the balm of loneliness 
In solitude apart. 
Hiish ! through the stillness of the night, 
A cry of weakness and of might 
Breaks up the heavens, and onward rolls 
Like waves of grief from wounded souls. 
What is it? Hath some mighty wrong 
Wrought discord in the angel song? 
Doth heaven, from joy to sorrow grown, 
With anguish shake the great White Throne? 
Stars fall! worlds burn ! is time no more? 
Earth hath not heard such sounds before. 
What is it? doth the death-wind break 
The golden doors, and, smiting, take 
The crown of life from him who wears 
Lightly eternal years, and bears 
The universe as though its weight 
Were but a shadow, and not great? 
See! far above night-shadows, dim, 
The cherubim and seraphim, 
With countless angels, breathless gaze 
Upon that spot where Jesus prays 
" M} r Father ! " and the mountains nigh 
Refuse to echo such a cry ! 
While through the universe there runs 
A shudder, smiting outer suns. 
" JM} T Father ! " and the starry train 
Stands in the darkness struck with pain, 
And whitens every face above 
To hear the moan of bruised love. 



152 GETHSEMAXK, 

Spread, spread thy wings, dark-plumed night, 

And hide that scene from mortal sight. 

" Father ! Father ! if it be 

But possible to love and thee, 

Take now this bitter cup from me ! " 

A silence deep, unearttuV, dread. 

As though' the universe were dead. 

No song in heaven, — on earth no sound, 

The Saviour prostrate on the ground, 

And near him, through that sorrow deep, 

The three disciples, fast asleep. 

O what a dark, dread, solemn hour ! 

What flows of grief, what throes of power ! 

When human weakness drops the cup, 

Then strength divine doth take it up : 

2sow cross and pain the victory wins. 

Then a lost world's forgiven sins : 

Now hell breaks on his weeping eyes, 

And now white robes in Paradise : 

While far above that dreadful spot 

The Father hears, but answers not. 

No answer? See ! from yonder height 

An angel comes with rapid flight. 

Oh hath the Father changed his plan 

Of asking blood to ransom man ? 

Comes this strong angel from the sky 

To tell the Lord he need not die ? 

Say. spirit bright, what tidings now ? 

He heeds not — fanning Jesus' brow. 

Oh tell us, what of that dread cup? 

He heeds not — holding Jesus up. 

Say, what of hope dost thou impart ? 

Behold ! he binds the Saviour's heart, 



THY WILL, NOT MINE. 153 

And vanishes through shadows dim, — 
He only came to strengthen him. 
Hope ? some hope far off unfolds ! 
With firmer grasp the Saviour holds 
The bitter cup ; the grief he bore 
Flies, while a joy set on before 
Doth fill the darkness now with light, 

Doth change his weakness into might ; 

The cross grows sweet, and sweet the pain, 

And sweeter still the after gain ; 

The agony to rapture turns, 

And love with tenfold glory burns ! 

A sob, a sigh, the battle's won — 

" Father ! thy will, not mine, be done ! " 



THY WILL, NOT MINE. 

There is no life on earth, though calm and bright 
it be, 

But has a sorrow-spot, some dark Gethsemane ; 

Where in fierce fires of pain, strong cries and blind- 
ing tears, 

The God who loves us best, as loving not ap- 
pears. 

Thrice happy is that heart, which, bruised, on 

God doth fall, 
Feelins; 'tis answered best when answered not at 

all ; 
And wrestling with his will shall find the battle won 
B} T that deep cry of trust — th}~ will, not mine, be 

done. 



154 THE RIVER OF LIFE. 

Our feeble wills lay hold on light and quiet rest. 
When pain and tears would make us what God 

loves the best ; 
And the3 T , who, full of trust, earth's weight of 

sorrow bear, 
Shall evermore in heaven a cloudless sunshine wear. 

We walk through darkness here that we ma}- 

reach the light ; 
We fall in weakness now that we may rise in might ; 
And when to that high will we bow, and cease 

from strife, 
The hallowed peace of God encircles all our life. 



THE RIVER OF LIFE. 

" I saw a pure river of water of life." 

Here, where the life behind and the life before 
doth meet, 

A river of ciystal cool, where pilgrims lave their 
feet ; 

I step from its shade of palm ; touching the gen- 
tle wave, 

I lose the smell of the mould, brought up out of 
the grave. 

Fled is the fever and dust of earth's ignoble strife ; 
Dawning with sweet surprise the visions of life 

on life ; 
While at the river's touch there cometh with slow 

increase, 
Infinite sweep of thought and fathomless depth 

of peace. 



MARY MAGDALENE. 155 

Roll on, sweet river of life, and change me 

through and through, 
Till all that was old and worn be wrought into 

the now ; 
Wash out old narrowing creeds, giving the golden 

link 
Of that great chain of thought the loftier angels 
•think. 

Gone is the aged heart, and changed is the weary 

brain ; 
Cometh the 3-outh that I lost more youthful back 

again ; 
Oh wash me, river of bliss, until from lip and eve 
Flashes the fire of a life that never more can die. 



MARY MAGDALENE. 

In the darkness God had met her, 

Gave her sorrow for the wrong 
Of a heart bound b}~ the fetter 

Of a sin seven devils strong. 
Through the gossip of the city, 

And a voice that spake within, 
She found one who would have pity 

On a fallen child of sin. 

Through the sweet pain from love's quiver 
Cried she, weeping o'er the past, 

'• What gift shall I bring the Giver 
Of all gifts for love so vast ? 



156 SORROW AND JOY. 

I will purchase precious ointment, 
Seeking me worn is nry Lord ; 

While I soothe him with anointment, 
He may soothe me with his word." 

Pharisee sat rudely staring 

With the blankness of surprise ; 
Jesus, heavenly welcomes wearing, 

Shone forgiveness from his eyes ; 
The new life came o'er her sweeping, 

Broke her heart, and kneeling there, 
She did wash his feet 03- weeping, 

And did wipe them with her hair. 

While the Pharisee sat frowning, 

Others o'er the gift made strife, 
Jesus sat, her Saviour, crowning 

Mary with an endless life. 
Could a box of ointment borrow 

Smile from Jesus half so sweet? 
No ; it was that flood of sorrow 

As she kissed the Saviour's feet. 



SORROW AND JOY. 

' Weeping may endure for anight, but joy cometh in the morning. ,- 

Our sorrows come as comes the night, 
To vanish in the morning light ; 
And tears we shed in doubt and fear, 
Like dews in sunshine disappear. 



REMEMBER ME. 157 

Though long the night, and sad our way, 
The joy will dawn with dawning day ; 
And darkest hour of grief is born 
Beneath the purple ridge of morn. 

Though sad we part from those we love, 
With joy we meet them all above. 
And things that wear a shadow here, 
In heaven with jo}'Ous light appear. 

What shadow deep and sullen gloom 
Broods o'er the silence of the tomb ! 
Yet from its bosom, for the skies, 
A joyous world shall singing rise. 



REMEMBER ME. 

Lord, amidst thy pain and grief, 
Canst thou love a dying thief? 
Though the thorns press on tlrv brow, 
Wilt thou turn and bless me now ? 
Look I from myself to thee, 
Dying Lord, remember me. 

All- my guilt I need not tell, 
For thou knowest it full well ; 
And in death I feel thou art 
All I need to cleanse my heart ; 
To thy wounds for help I flee, 
Dying Lord, remember me. 



158 THE WOXDROUS OX BEFORE. 

Can it be m} T plea prevails ? 
From the thorns and from the nails 
Leaps the blood, and seems to fall 
O'er nry black heart, cleansing all ; 
Thou dost sweetly own that plea, — 
Dying Lord, remember me. 

What, nry Lord, to da}' with thee 
In paradise, where angels be ? 
Though it seems so vast, my Lord, 
Never will I doubt thy word ; 
Tlry great kingdom I shall see, 
For thou hast remembered me. 



THE WOXDROUS ON BEFORE. 

Flash the moments b} r like quivers 

Shot from Time's unerring bow, 
And the years like swollen rivers 

Crush their way with ceaseless flow ; 
Sun and moon, bright constellations, 

Seas of glory without shore, 
All that are and once were nations, 

Near the wondrous on before. 

We have seen its glory streaming 

O'er the sky and hallowed page ; 
And through all the poet's dreaming 

Drifts the music of an age 
When the wrong things shall be righted, 

Justice rule for evermore, 
Where all darkness shall be lighted 

In the wondrous on before. 



THE DESIRED II AYE X. 159 

It is coming, coming nearer. 

With its shadowings sublime ; 
It is dawning, dawning clearer, 

O'er the wrinkled brow of time ; 
Age of glory, age of wonder, 

Wrought to reign for evermore. 
Breaketh now with crash of thunder 

From the wondrous on before. 



THE DESIRED HAVEN. 



Quiet, quiet, glad are they, 

Anchored by the peaceful shore ; 

Glad to end a rock-bound way. 
Quiet, for the storms are o'er. 

This the haven long desired, 

So the Lord hath safely brought 

His beloved, worn and tired, 

To the heavenly rest they sought. 

Glad, because the deathless life 
Lightens all things with its glow ; 

Quiet, for the sea of strife 
Ceased to follow long ago. 

Sad and restless they set sail 
On the waste of storm}' seas ; 

Quiet, glad, within the vail, 
Anchor they in perfect peace. 



160 SABBATH EVE. 



SABBATH EVE. 

Go not yet, O sabbath eve ! 

Calm and holy and serene ; 
Tarn' still, nor take tlry leave, 

For how happy we have been ! 
We have sung sweet songs of love, 

We have seen the Saviour's face, 
While the Spirit, like a dove, 

Spread his wings o'er all the place : 
Stay a while, nor leave us so, 
Blessings still on all bestow. 

And it seems as here we sit, 

'Tween the shadow and the light, 
Holy angels round us flit, 

Prompting thought to heavenward flight ; 
Fled are all the ills of life, 

Gone the shadow and the grief, 
And this quiet in the strife 

Seems most beautiful, though brief: 
Eve of song, of praise and prayer, 
Tarry 3-et, thou art so fair ! 

Drinking deep of holy things, 

Spirits linger, thirsting still, 
Upward borne on mighty wings, 

Soar the}' unto Zion's hill, 
Where the Sou of Man bowed down 

'Neath a world's great load of sin, 
Winning for our souls a crown, 

And a heaven to enter in : 
Sabbath eve ! O hour of bliss ! 
Stay, we love to think of this. 



EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESV^l 161 

There's an eve to every day, 

There's a night to even* noon, 
And the thing we wish to stay 

Seemeth but to fly more soon ; 
And this sabbath eve so sweet 

Hasteth on before the night ; 
As we part so may we meet, 

In the endless sabbath light. 
Eve of glory, richly wrought, 
Go, but leave all thou hast brought. 



EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS! 

Jesus, once for sinners slain. 
We are waiting for thy reign ; 
All the Church in raiment white 
Stand prepared by day and night, 
With the cry of lips now dumb, 
Even so, Lord Jesus, come ! 

Though we never saw thy face, 
Yet, partakers of thy grace, 
We have loved thee though unseen ; 
Xow, without a cloud between, 
We would on thy glory gaze, 
And behold thee face to face. 

Come, Lord Jesus ! through the sky 
Let the herald angel fly ! 
Come, Lord Jesus ! let tlry tread 
Fire the stars, and wake the dead ! 
Come, thou long-expected King, 
We would meet thee while we sinoj. 



162 THE POWER OF FAITH. 



THE BIRTHPLACE OF A SOUL. 



Our God shall say, when he doth count 
The mighty, bloodwashed scroll, 

Upon tkis pra}'er-devoted mount 
Was born a precious soul. 

Here wrestled men of ruighty faitk 
With Christ, in loving strife, 

Until a soul from endless deatk 
Was born to endless life. 

O hallowed spot, wkat memories sweet, 

Bekolding thee, arise ! 
For here a soul did Jesus meet 

And win it for the skies. 

Engrave the scenes of blood and strife 

On fame's decaying scroll, 
But write upon the Book of Life 

The birthplace of a soul. 



THE POWER OF FAITH. 

" By faith the walls of Jericho fell down." 

When the}' heard the trumpets blow 
Round the walls of Jericho, 
Gave they back a shout of scorn 
To the blast of every horn. 
This the way 
Truth fares to-dav. 



THE YOUNG RULER. 163 

Still the trumpets louder blew, 
And the scorning fiercer grew, 
While that strange, discordant band 
Onward marched at God's command : 

This the way 

Truth works to-day. 

Seven times round the walls they went, 
Seven times back the scorn was sent ; 
Midst the horn-blast and the 3-ell, 
Jericho in ruins fell : 

This the way 

Truth works some day. 



THE YOUNG RULER. 

Sorrowful and broken-hearted 
Turned the ruler to his gain ; 

Jesus for the cross departed, 

Gold his loving purpose thwarted, 
And they never met again, 

Never will meet till the parted 

Heavens burning worlds shall rain. 

Oh that gold should be so blinding, 
By the nearness of its shine ! 

Oh that gold should be so binding, 

With its gilded circles winding- 
Round a heart with serpent-twine, 

That was beating to the finding 
Of all that is most divine ! 



164 THE YOUNG RULER. 

Jesus loved him, as he, kneeling, 
Asked the gift of priceless worth, 

Saw the light of hoi}' feeling 

O'er his spirit gently stealing, 
In the dawn of heavenly birth, 

But the gold-dust sent him reeling 
Back again to lowest earth. 



Jesus loved him for the using 
All the light he had to use, 

And unfolded for his choosing 

That which he at once refusing, 
Nothing higher could refuse ; 

So for fear of something losing 
Lost all that is loss to lose. 



This is how God conquers evil, 
Asking things we love the best : 

Joseph fled a guilty revel, 

Job in ashes fought the Devil, 

, Abram stood the crushing test : 

Jesus only sought to level 

The 3'oung ruler's path to rest. 

Well he knew his gold would beat him 
Backward every step, and sad. 

Knew the tempting fiend would meet him 

And with subtle lurmgs cheat him 
Out of all that maketh glad : 

The one way he could defeat him 
Was to sell out all he had. 



THE GUIDE AND GOAL. 165 

THE GUIDE AND GOAL. 

" Guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." 

Thy glory, Lord, I wish to reach, 
Glory of life, gloiy of thought ; 

By thine unerring counsel teach, 
And I shall be divinely taught. 

I seek a glory known in part, 
Glory of Christ's eternal reign ; 

Beat from tlry bondage, yearning heart, 
That losing all things this thou gain. 

I seek a gloiy deep and calm, 
Beyond the blue, star-fleeted sea. 

Where every thought doth fill with psalm 
The breathings of eternity. 

Oh glory of the perfect man, 

Reposing in the perfect God, 
And learning how the ages ran 

Before a weary world was trod ! 

Oh glory to be lifted high 

Above this realm of aimless strife ! 

Oh glory, never more to die, 
But drifting on from life to life ! 

The gloiy of all glorious things, 
And b} T a higher gloiy crowned, 

Where spreads the majesty of wings, 
To fold a universe around. 



166 STONE TROUBLES. 

I near the best of all that's best, 
Where awe itself is overawed, 

And perfect forms in thoughtful rest 
Lean on the mysteries of God. 

Lest from the path I turn aside, 
O Holy Spirit, sweetly teach ! 

Thy counsels ever be my guide, 
Till I the goal of glory reach. 



STONE TROUBLES. 

" Who will roll us away the stone? " 

When through long and faithless piling 
All our hopes have withered grown, 

We pause in our duty, sa}ing, 
Who will roll away the stone ? 

When we seek to find out Jesus, 
And the light of perfect day, 

Clinging to the things that please us 
Is the great stone in our way. 

Ever sowing, never reaping, 

In the Master's field, alone, 
Doubt will ask, while Faith is sleeping, 

Who will roll awa}* the stone ? 

Stones of doubt keep back the blessing 

God is waiting to impart ; 
Stones of fear stop the confessing 

Which would ease a burdened heart. 



WAITING AT THE POOL. 1G7 



Light and life would dawn the faster 
O'er the vale of whitened bones, 

If the people and the pastor 

Would let God roll back the stones. 



WAITING AT THE POOL. 

Thousands stand to-day in sorrow, 

Waiting at the pool, 
Saying the}* will wash to-morrow, 

Wailing at the pool ; 
Others step in left and right. 
Wash their stained robes pure white, 
Leaving 3-011 in sorrow's night. 

Waiting at the pool. 

Souls, 3-our filth}- garments wearing, 

Waiting at the pool, 

Hearts, your heavy burdens bearing, 

Waiting at the pool, 

Can it be 3-ou never heard 

Jesus long ago hath stirred 

The waters with his mighty word, 

Waiting at the pool? 

Thousands once were standing near you, 
Waiting at the pool, 

Come their voices back to cheer 3-011, 

Waiting at the pool ; 

Back from Canaan's kappj* shore, 

Sorrow past and labor o'er, 

Where the3* stand in tears no more, 

Waiting at the pool. 



168 THE VALLEY THEY SAY IS SO LONE. 

Mother leaves the son, the daughter, 

Waiting at the pool, 

Calls to them across the water, 

Waiting at the pool ; 

You can never more embrace 

Mother, or behold her face, 

If you keep the leper's place, 

Waiting at the pool. 

Step in boldly — death may smite you, 
Waiting at the pool ; 
Jesus may no more invite you, 

Waiting at the pool ; 
Faith is near you, take her hand, 
Seek with her the better land, 
And no longer doubting stand 

Waiting at the pool. 



I PASSED DOWN THE VALLEY THEY 
SAY IS SO LONE. 

I passed down the valley they say is so lone, 

It was crowded with pilgrim-feet, 
On their way to the rule of a love-built throne, 

Where the good and the holy meet. 

There was not a shadow to darken the way, 

For shadow there never can be, 
Where the soft, sweet light of a heavenh- da} r 

Breaks out from the throne and the sea 



DAVID'S CUBE FOB A FAIXT HEART. 169 

Of glass, like to crystal, where harpers thrill, 

With an ever-varying strain, 
The soul with the music of God's great will, 

That death should be glorious gain. 

I had dreamed in the world that lieth behind, 
Of struggles with death in the gloom, 

But living we doubt, and in dying we find 
No path is so bright as the tomb. 



DAVID'S CURE FOR A FAINT HEART. 

"I had fainted unless I had helieved to see the goodness of the Lord 
in tuc laud of the living.'* 

All along life's weaiy road, 
Hearts are breaking 'neath their load, 
Strong men faint and ask to die, 
When God's angel passes by, 
Smiting here and smiting there, 
All that's beautiful and fair. 

Minds deep versed in nature's laws 
Faint when God his smile withdraws ; 
The^y who doubt, with boastings loud, 
Pallid grow before the shroud, 
While beneath death's flag unfurled 
Faint and sicken half the world. 

He alone whose faith is firm 
That beyond the shroud and worm 
God's great goodness will appear, 
Never comprehended here, 
He alone, though sad his lot, 
Bears a heart that fainteth not. 



170 LIGHT AT EVEXTIDE. 



CONSOLATION IN CHRIST. 

O hearts, forever aching to sink 

Down into the silence, and ache no more ! 
O brains, whose wearisome think, think, think, 

Make inysteiy darker than 'twas before ! 
Sweet rest in Jesus the weary find, 
And heavenly light each darkened mind. 

O e3 T es that long to be closed and hid 
Away from the burning heat of brain, 

Under the shade of a coffin-lid, 
Never to burst into life again, 

Looking on Jesus there doth arise 

The mellowed glories of Paradise ! 

O hands that are weary winning bread, 
And feet that bleed on a thorny way, 

Fearing the shadow of darkness fled, 
Fearing the light of a coming da}", 

Jesus hath purchased a refuge sweet 

By his wounded hands and wounded feet ! 



LIGHT AT EVENTIDE. 

When the lips " good-by " shall quiver, 

To the world and all beside, 
Light shall come across the river, 

Just about the eventide ; 
It will be when moons are waning, 

Through a long night, dim with dews, 
Light will Hood the darkness, staining 

All my soul with heavenly hues. 



LIGHT AT EVENTIDE. 171 

Suddenly, in swift transition, 

Life will leap from blinded clay, 
To the full and open vision 

Of a bright and cloudless da}* ; 
It will be when tears are gushing 

At the coldness of the tide, 
That this strange light will come rushing, 

Just about the eventide. 

Soul will look out from her prison, 

Darkened long by doubt and sin, 
To behold a new sun risen, 

And the angels looking in ; 
See the doors, as Paul and Silas 

Saw them open swift and wide ; 
This will be when dreams beguile us, 

Just about the eventide. 

Deathless friends, whom death did sever, 

Building graves to baffle them, 
Met at last, shall walk together 

In the new Jerusalem ; 
Things that would not show their rightness, 

Wherefores sought, but long denied, 
Will shine out with wondrous brightness 

In that light at eventide. 

All the false outside and fashion 

Of this world shall pass away, 
And the self-crowned king of passion 

Shall resign his blighting sway ; 
Contradictions of our being, 

Questions none could e'er decide, 
Will be settled and agreeing 

In that light at eventide. 



172 CHRIST NEEDS A WORKING CHURCH. 



IN THE STRANGE DARKNESS. 

In the strange darkness which the stars peer thro', 
'Mid the wild flowers that know not why they 
spring, 

A song came drifting downward with the dew, 
Such as the angels and the children sing. 

It had no rlryme or measure in its flow, 

But, oh ! it made me bow, and weep, and kneel ; 

'Twas made be} T ond the range of stars ; I know 
Humanity could not so sing and feel. 

My friend, who walked beside me, heard no strain, 
And wondered why I wept who had no care ; 

He said that there was music in my brain, 
When there was something singing in the air. 

I heard the melody of deep things yet 
To be unfolded, friend, to me and 3*011, 

And saw the light of suns that never set, 

On heaven's horizon, through the falling dew. 



CHRIST NEEDS A WORKING CHURCH. 

Go into the streets and lanes, 

Tell the gospel news : 
Too much working power remains 

Sitting in the pews. 
Satan works outside the fold, 

We must meet him there ; 
Wrest the captives from his hold, 

Break their chains by prayer. 



CHRIST XEEDS A WORKING CHURCH. 173 

Go into the haunts of crime 

With a hero's heart ; 
Tell of Jesus' love sublime, 

Till the warm tears start. 
Tell the harlot Christ forgave 

Mary all her sin ; 
Tell the drunkard Christ can save, 

And heaven let him in. 

Men are wanted who will praise 

God in back-street mire 
Like they do on Sabbath days, 

Sitting in the choir. 
Eas} 7 work to sing and pray 

In the cushioned seat ; 
Do it on the broad highway, 

In the crowded street. 

Women wanted who will nurse, 

Fraying with the sick, 
Where lips utter fearful curse 

Every time they speak : 
Thousands such God grcatlj* needs, 

Ay, and thousands more, 
Who will teach Christ, not their creeds, 

To the sinful poor. 

Far into the deep launch out, 

Sink the heavy dredge, 
There are but few fish about 

Near the water's edge. 
Let those hold the endmost ropes 

On the even beach, 
Whose weak faith and dying hopes 

Cannot farther reach. 



174 INCOMPREHENSIBLE WEALTH. 



INCOMPREHENSIBLE WEALTH. 

" God, who is rich in mercy."" 

To be rich is to possess 
More of blessing than can bless, 
Having all onr wants supplied 
And abundant wealth beside. 
Who the love of God can know 
When his nierc}' doth o'erflow? 

Rich in mercy ! He whose might 
Built the worlds, and gave them light ! 
Rich in mercy ! Can it be ? 
There is mere}-, then, for me. 
None so lost as need despair, 
If a God such riches bear. 

Come who need, and come who will, 
God is rich in mercy still. 
Wealth so vast could not exhaust 
Though ten thousand worlds were lost. 
If a universe should fall, 
LoA'e so great could cover all. 

Rich in mercy ! be it sung 

In every land, by every tongue ; 

Rich in mercy ! let the cry 

To the distant nations fly ! 

Come who need, and come who will, 

God is rich in mercv still. 



THE GLORIOUS DECLARATION. 175 



THE GLORIOUS DECLARATION. 

" The heavens declare the glory of God." 

Oh ! not by chance, or strength of time, 
Arose the universe sublime, 
Nor by a self-creative might 
Revolve the planets, trailing light. 
I hear them cry, sun, moon, and star, 
" Our God did make us what we are." 

From age to age, in lines of fire, 
They write the gloiy of their Sire ; 
Unworn by time or length of days, 
They hymn their great Creator's praise, 
Nor ever voice or sound has stirred 
The bounds their language has not heard. 

Forth from his blue, star-curtained bed, 
The sun doth as a bridegroom tread, 
And viewing all the boundless space, 
Rejoices to begin his race, 
Diffusing light and heat from God, 
O'er paths by men and angels trod. 

Oh ! tell it sun, and tell it moon, 
In calm of night, and glare of noon ; 
Oh ! tell it star, and planet bright, 
Tell it myriad worlds of light, 
From age to age the truth rehearse, 
That God did build the universe. 



176 A GREAT DEEP. 



A GREAT DEEP. 

"Thy judgments are a great deep. 1 ' 

How strange thy judgments are, O God, 

Thy majesty how dread ! 
The nations fall beneath thy rod, 

The streets are filled with dead. 



The pestilence at thy command 
Doth through our cities sweep ; 

Thy judgments none can understand, 
A great and awful deep. 

Our pride and hopes lie shattered now, 
And things we thought secure ; 

Eternity, O God ! and thou 
Alone unscathed endure. 



Before the fathomless altyss 
Of judgment though we weep, 

We know the depth of merc} T is 
Far deeper than that deep. 



Though flame-blast swept the worlds above, 

And time itself were done, 
We rest securely in thy love, 

For Jesus is thy Son. 



WAITING FOR THE ANGEL. 177 



NEAR GOD. 

It has been the one wish of all my life, 

That when Death lays on me his heavy rod, 

And I have borne my share of this world's stiife, 
I ma}- wake up and find myself near God. 

Not far away, in darkness and alone, 

Or midst huge shadows undefined and dim, 

But near the glorious circle round his throne. 
That I may hear the angels ehant their hymn. 

And see around me, ay, elose at my side, 
Dear lost ones, loving, beautiful and true, 

Basking in sunshine this world had denied, 
Where never shadow comes or evening dew. 

Then care will never cloud, or make me seem 
Less noble than God wills my soul should be, 

And I shall realize my brightest dream, 
Of chainless thought and immortality. 

The wish may seem presumptuous, but I dread 
To be shut out from light, as night from day, 

To be a living soul, 3-et seeming dead, 

Where death itself stands evermore at bay. 



WAITING FOE, THE ANGEL. 

Shut the house up as forsaken, 
Put the lights out in the hall, 

I would sleep, and never waken 
Till I hear the ans;el call. 



178 GOD EXOWS. 



Every morn for seeming ages, 

Life's great book I've opened wide, 

Pondered o'er its nrystic pages 
Till they grew more mystified. 

I will wait until there lighten 

From within and from without, 
New revealings that shall brighten 

Into clearness eveiy doubt. 
I would sleep, nor care to waken, 

Till the Lord shall waken all, 
Till the very earth be shaken, 

And I hear the angel call. 

Then will come the perfect showing 

Of things distant and things near, 
And unto the fuller knowing 

Will the greater God appear. 
Therefore bar the window tightly, 

Put the lights out in the hall, 
I would sleep serene and lightly 

Till I hear the angel call. 



GOD KNOWS. 

Men know not the earnest praying 

That ascends from vale and town, 
For a lost world, ever weighing 

All the good and holy down. 
God knows, for the might}- pleading, 

Whitens half the judgment scroll, 
And the Lamb, once faint and bleeding, 

Sees the travail of his soul. 



GOD KNOWS. 179 



Men know not why lips so sainted 

Faltered out " Good-by " so soon ; 
Why the great heart, stricken, fainted 

In the foremost ranks at noon. 
God knows ; it may be to teach us 

That against permitted odds, 
In a day that may not reach us, 

God will triumph o'er all gods. 

Men know not why to the dwelling 

Where they pray both morn and night, 
Sin comes, like the simoom, felling 

Youth and beauty with its blight. 
God knows ; he may see hearts squander 

Love, and Christ unheeded knock. 
Better lambs a while should wander, 

Than to ruin all the flock. 

Men know not why Christ, our Master, 

Comes not back to earth again ; 
Wiry his kingdom spreads no faster, 

In a world where he must reign. 
God knows ; and I fear the showing 

Of the judgment da} T will be, 
They who did the gospel sowing, 

Did not sow on bended knee. 

God knows how much faith we mingle 

In each hand of scattered grain ; 
If we labor with eye single 

To his glory, or for gain. 
God knows every secret feeling, 

Wiry we sing and wiry we weep ; 
In that day of great revealing, 

God knows what we all shall reap. 

i 



180 MAN IMPEACHED BY NATURE. 



MAN IMPEACHED BY NATURE. 

I dreamed, and lo, a voice did thunder loud 

Down through the universe, and echo called 

To echo with shrill, ghostlike cry, until 

Calm Sileuce fled amazed, and hid herself 

In a dim waste bej'ond the rolling worlds. 

Then gathered round a great white throne in 

heaven, 
Bright spirits, crowned with the strong youth of 

countless 
Years, on whose unwrinkled brows the radiance 
Of God's smile flowed lightly ever ; 
And man, all bowed and broken, there stood out 
Before God and the angels, charged with crime. 

Then Nature spake : Almighty Father, God, 
Eternal, just, and only wise, supreme, 
Who makest all things for a glorious end, 
And hatest wrong, thou didst create me pure, 
And call me to tlry ministry of love, 
Pronouncing with the sweet approval of 
Thy voice, my form most perfect, my mission 
Most divine. Then did these high arches ring 
With grateful song from bird, stream, river, the 
Swaying forests, and the far-sweeping seas. 
And I was glad, my Father, at th}- feet 
To wait and minister, in garments pure, 
To man, a noble being, whom thou didst 
Command to rise from out my dust and be, 
Crowning him with the fire of thine own life. 
Nor have I once withholden from him aught 



MAN IMPEACHED BY NATURE. 181 



Of that vast wealth thou gav'st me for his sake. 

The breezes fanned his brow, the light and shade 

Wove varied splendor at his feet. He walked 

On flowers through Edens of delight, and breathed 

The incense from my altars ere it rose 

To thee. His life was one long pause of jo}\ 

I wore no scar from wrathful bolt, nor was 

My bosom rent with rude volcanic shock, 

But everywhere from out my rounded form, 

Pregnant with beauty, flashed a new glory. 

Steeping his senses in perpetual bliss. 

Ye priests and kings in this unfading clime, 

Where suns set not, and moons can never wane, 

He, against whom I enter solemn plea, 

Was compassed round with that strong arm of 

love 
On which you lean ; your jo}'S w r ere his, your 

peace, 
Eternal, fathomless, serene, unmoved 
By storm of sighs, or flood of bitter tears, 
Touched, and becalmed with blessedness, his life. 
And that same smile which brightens all 3 T our 

brows, 
Fell, like a benediction, round his heart, 
Thrilling it through with hopes that make new 

heavens 
Break out above the old with crowns of life. 
And never melody rolled from my harp, 
And never song gushed from 1113' warbling choirs, 
Nor herb or flower sprang from nry breast, that did 
Not tell him of m} T Maker and his own. 
O sons of light and joy ! was he not blest, 
Raised by the power of a sweet restraint 



182 MAN IMPEACHED BY XATURE. 



To that high place, where, choosing good for its 
Own sake, he could prove worthy of his trust, 
And crown his soul with never ending bliss ? 

Didst thou not also come, O Judge, supreme ! 
Aud converse hold with him at eventide, 
When the long shadows lay across the world, 
And o'er the western wave a bridge was wrought 
Of molten gold, that stretched from heaven to 

earth ? 
Tlry voice I heard with solemn awe ; so great 
It was that echo feared to speak it back. 
Thy tread, and all the light of thy vast form, 
Moving in majesty about my heart, 
Gave birth to hopes crowned with eternal bloom. 
O sons of light and joy ! I fondly dreamed 
That summer upon summer, through all time. 
Would deck nry brow with ever bright'ning flow- 
ers, 
And never desolating wind break out, 
Smiting with death the child of grace and song. 

Alas, how fallen have I been ! ray breast, 
Made but to throb with life, hath borne the dead 
For ages, — dead man, dead brute, dead flower," 

bird, 
Leaf. Palsy hath smit my limbs, rottenness, 
And hideous forms of slow decay, hath set 
Their teeth into my vitals, and the grave 
Hath been my bosom friend, the skull, the worm, 
My ever-present guests, unbidden, loathed, 
Thrust on me by the sin of him who stands 
At heaven's high bar, before the Judge of all. 



MAN IMPEACHED BY X ATI' BE. 183 

Hear me, ye wise and pure ! In one short hour, 
Oh, what a wreck was wrought ! Hushed the glad 

song, 
And crushed the flowers that plumed a thousand 

hills. 
Immortality, struck through with mortal 
Pangs, looked out on death and died. Red ruin 
Struck his heel into m}- heart ; the canker 
And the blight did slay and eat the blossom ; 
While that which was a paradise of life 
Became a tomb, where death sat on his spoils. 
Should 3-011 pure river flowing from the throne 
Be turned to blood, the sapphire walls around 
You crumble to decay, the cherubim 
And seraphim, with flaming wings fall down ; 
The tree of life be withered, and the bells 
Which ring long sabbaths iu, knell for the dead 
Borne through the golden streets, what grief were 

yours ? 
Such grief was mine. I pra}- you hear my plea. 

Would not a soul from which all goodness had 
Not fled, beholding what its sin had wrought, 
Bow down in grief, and by repentnnt tears 
Seek to repair the waste, bring back the bloom, 
The light, the song, and so crush out its guilt ? 
Stands there a record on that book, which holds 
The thoughts and deeds of man in every age, 
Of tears once shed, or sighs once heaved? Did 

he 
Not measure out the narrow span to which 
He brought his life, by deeds more foul, till heaven 
From off my bosom wiped the last faint trace 



184 MAN IMPEACHED BY NATURE. 

Of human feet, and we came forth baptized 
Into what should have been a nobler life ? 

Fair forms and pure, again rose at his feet, 

The heavens were arched with rainbow hues, 

through which 
God smiled a promise of unfading love ; 
Sweet children, dowered with rare gifts and grace, 
Like unto those which blest my early life, 
Came with the light of long-forgotten joys, 
And though the} 7 needs must die in the full bloom, 
'Twas but to live again in lovelier forms. 
Was there not also thrown about man's heart 
Some holy influence from this peaceful clime. 
The shadow of an awful form of love, 
Which strove \>y gentle argument to win 
Him back to all and more than he had lost ? 
One moment did he pause and upward gaze, 
But lest the better life should reign, brake loose, 
And, leagued with him who waged fierce war in 

heaven, 
Out-demoned all his former self, and made 
Me but a scroll whereon to write his crimes. 

Did I not bring him blessings ? But he wrought 
Them into that which cursed all people, and 
Through the niiglny realms of thought spread 

death, forged 
Chains, broke hearts, and set the vacant stare of 
Madness into calm eyes, from which pure souls 
Beamed forth, till the wild frenzy, born of wine, 
Steeped all their gloiy in a dread eclipse. 
Wherefore, all solemnly I urge my plea, 



MAN IMPEACHED BY NATURE. 



185 



In this high court, as one who suffers wrong. 

I call on seas, the dead which in them lie, 

The wrecks which crowd their strands ; I call on 

rocks, 
Hills, caverns, mountains, whole armies buried 
Under fair smiling plains, ruined cities, 
Dread implements of war wrought from nry wealth, 
The sword, blood-stained thrones, Fame's blazing 

scroll, 
And sepulchres o'er which torn banners wave, — 
On these I call to witness that proud man, 
To work ignoble ends, hath turned my good 
To ill, nry sweet to bitter, and my light 
To dark, heaping upon me endless shame. 



Anon he worshipped me, pronounced me God, 
The cause, the centre, and the sum of all 
That is ; eternal, self-existent ; and 
From out my dust, reared temples unto dust, 
The masonry of tombs, the crown of death. 
But ever did I beat his worship back 
With the sad homil}' of falling leaves, 
And point him up to that which never dies. 
Gold he did worship, built his hopes on that ; 
Wood, the unthinking herd, the shapeless stone, 
And loathsome things that crawl through slime 

to die. 
Sun, moon, and stars, all ghostly shapes, foul 

forms, 
He clothed with attributes they never wore, 
Blaspheming that pure name which hallows all. 
Oh, 'twas pitiful, to see a deathless 
Soul la} r hold on dying things, grasp shadows, 



186 MAN IMPEACHED BY NATURE. 

And to unfathomable deeps launch out, 

With chart nor helm that strove for shores of rest. 

Behold him now ; how fallen doth he seem ! 
And yet I pray you, ere }*e weep his fate, 
Look on iny wasted form, fresh from the fire, 
The fearful burnings of the last great da} r 
Of time, wherein the heavens did melt and flow 
In one vast sea of flame, dissolving all 
That congregation of fair forms which clung 
Around my breast, strewing with ghastly wrecks, 
Torn worlds, rent S3'stems, the eternal shores 
Hear me, I pray ; the pure alone are just. 

Then through my dream, I saw stern Justice rise, 
In wrathful form, with a huge sword to smite ; 
But Mercy, clad in sunshine, stood between 
The sword and man ; while in their midst a cross 
Of gold uprose, shining these words on all : 
Behold, I make new heavens and new earth, 
Wherein pure righteousness shall reign, and all 
The former things shall pass away, — the tears, 
The sorrow and the pain — and death shall die. 

Then 'neath that cross down at God's feet they 

bowed 
In blissful reconcilement, and clasped hands. 
So passed my dream, as sabbath morning dawned. 



THE DEATH OF TIME. 187 



THE DEATH OF TIME. 

The verdict had gone forth, and Death, with axe 
Of flame, amidst a wreck of human skulls, 
Crowns, thrones, stood waiting bv the block for 

Time ; 
While he, as one who takes farewell of love, 
And feels it harder than to die, lingered. 
Through halls of state and gorgeous palaces 
A doomed king be walked where once he reigned. 
The chiselled wonders of his fitful rule ; 
Science and art still in the glow of youth ; 
The pen, the harp, the sword : all lovel}- forms 
Of life that he had loved, met the last gaze 
Of eyes too kingly for the balm of tears. 
He kissed the flowers and bade them weep no 

more ; 
He laid his hand on seas and hushed their moan ; 
The sob of brooks and streams he turned to song ; 
The might}' grief of rivers and of woods 
Changed at his tread to noble scorn of death ; 
The clouded sun he bade break forth and flame 
A dazzling splendor down the track of doom. 
Then, as one leaving some delightful spot 
On which he should not look again, turned round, 
And, flashing farewells from his e3*es across 
The fading world, stood face to face with Death. 
And he, beholding such a noble form, 
Bowed low, and bade Time speak his latest wish, 
And straightway granted it so soon as heard. 
Then, like a Samson, Time went forth and felt 
The solid pillars of the universe ; 



188 U. S. A. — 1873. 

And, ere Death was aware of his design, 
The}* bowed, brake, and thundered ruin upon ruin, 
Realm on realm, one awful avalanche of 
Flaming worlds, leaping to fathomless deeps, 
Where Time and Death lay side by side, — 
uncrowned. 



U. S. A. — 1873. 

A story, by nry guardian-angel told, 
Through the low breathings of a wear}* night. 

In this fair realm, washed by four rolling 

seas, 
There are who plunder what they should protect ; 
And with the stolen ke} T s of law, unlock 
To shameless shame the people's hard-earned 

store, 
Laid by to rule becoming a fair name. 
What record tells a crime of deeper dye 
Than that a man should rob his country to 
Her face ; then mock her rising voice of scorn ? 
Ill fares that realm which cannot trust her own ! 
Shorn of her strength by those she had made 

strong ; 
Finding her sons what foes would blush to be. 
But clothed in wrath she will arise and smite 
With the dread weapon of a people's will. 

I saw grand temples, where ga\- Fashion sits, 
A seventh-da}* patron of high God, all jewelled, 
Ringed, and covered with ga} T plumage, nodding 



U. S. J. —1873. 189 

To the drowsy drone of classic periods, 
Shaping a Christ to please the reigning mood ; 
While Prayer, aghast, sinks on the altar stairs, 
And Reverence Hies, amazed to see the forms 
Which at the footlights stood but yesternight, 
Rise up to chant a solemn praise to God. 
If lie who came so poor should come again, 
At the world's inn he still would lind no room. 

Honesty I saw walk barefoot through the 
Streets ; and Fraud drive, clad in purple, to a 
Golden throne, whose brightness blinded Justice ; 
While Guilt, in Virtue's garb, laughed loud to hear 
Through a faint blame the undertone of praise. 
Judges there were who judged unrighteously, 
And sheathed the sword which should have hewn 

in twain 
The Agags of iniquity, nor spared 
The bleating spoil till wrathful Samuel comes. 

A nation mother I beheld press a 
Dread cup to her own children's lips, the blight 
Whereof did palsy mighty limbs, and shake 
W r ith staggering fiends the bases of her strength. 
Mammon I saw build stately halls on sand, 
By treacherous seas of speculation ; and 
The floods came, the winds beat, and with a crash 
That shook a nation pale, they fell and passed. 

These are but the pangs of Time in travail ; 
The infant cry of a pure age I hear, 
WHaerein a tongue of fire shall smite the brow 
Of sin, proclaim the Christ, uprear the cross, 
And crush with light the darkness of the world. 



190 DAY. 



DAY. 



What ! bo, bright Day ! bow many times bast run 
In bot baste round tbis weary world ; leaping 
The rivers, dashing o'er voiceless wastes, hills ; 
Skipping from shore to shore, from pole to pole ; 
Flashing the light of thy bright e}-es on hut, 
Prison, palace, temple, mart ; climbing the 
Icy glaciers of the north, and breasting 
The balmy breezes of the south ; striving 
To keep the weary world awake, with Night 
Close at thy heels to undo all thou'st done, 
And hide the impress of tb} T golden feet ? 
What ! ho, there ! gone so soon ? I never saw 
A fellow with so strong a will to do 
The thing he set his mind on : kings cannot 
Change his purpose, nor armies beat him back. 
He will, for pastime, kick a crown down thro' 
A realm ; make, break, decree, revoke, build and 
Destroy at pleasure. Now he decks a brow 
Yv r ith flowers, then turns and withers all the bloom. 
Fond he is, and fickle as a child ; a 
Thief he is that steals awaj T our life ; a 
Friend who helps us to the goal ; a despot. 
Crushing whom he will ; 3~et, so kind withal, 
The children love him, the glad flowers greet him ; 
All jo3 T ous things in heaven and earth list for 
His step, and weep when he is gone. Strange 

moods 
He bath, and waj*s : some he wakes to sorrow, 
Some to jo} T , } T et smiles as sweetly on the 
Peasant as the prince, and sits as much at 



XIGIIT. 191 

Home in lowly cot as lordly hall, nor 
Scorns one board, however humbly spread. 
Now, as an artist, he will paint for fame ; 
Then, like a spiteful critic, daub it out. 
Anon with harp on mountain top he weaves 
Sweet melodies, then madly breaks the strings. 
And moves, a songless bard, where once he sang. 
In sullen moods he will make quarrel with 
The earth, and smite her brow with savage storms ; 
Then, vexed with his own rudeness, make amends, 
Kiss her with sunshine and heal all her wounds. 



NIGHT. 



She walks in solemn pomp amid the stars ; 
Her darkly -flowing tresses wet with dew, 
And all her gloom-fringed garments sweeping 

aisles 
Eternity hath trod to her high shrines. 

She is Time's ministering angel, pouring 
Sweet balm into his wounded heart ; encircling- 
All his weary way and waning life with 
The broad compass of a mothers love, from 
TThose dark womb he came, a child of light, to 
Struggle with innumerable ills and die 
A lonely death, deserted by his own. 
And when the prodigal hours have claimed 
Their portion, and to the far countiy fled, 
Making a childless waste of his fair realm, 
She sta}"S his heart on a strong psalm of trust, 
Till other children speak and bear his name. 



192 NIGHT. 

Upon Toil's thundering wheel she laj^s her 
Hand, and holds in restful pause a weary world. 
The wounded heart, touching her garment's hem, 
Is healed ; and Sorrow, beholding her cc:lm 
Face, forgets to weep. A kindly gloom she 
Folds around pale Thought ; lest, worn with gazing 
Long upon unfathomable deeps, he 
Fall from his high throne, blinded with light. 
At her approach Care laj^s his burden clown, 
And rests his brow on that which seam'd it o'er ; 
The slave forgets his chain, the king his crown, 
And Poverty that ever she was poor. 
Pain flies the wound, and Fear la} r s by the goad ; 
The homeless wanderer dreams he is at home, 
And hears his mother speak a changeless love. 
The sailor-bo}', in his rude hammock swung, 
Greets the one face he thought so fair at school, 
And where the din of battle lately rolled 
The soldier sleeps in blood beside the slain. 
O'er million-peopled cities, hamlets lone ; 
On might y woods, where song rolls her full tide, 
And up the dusty highwaj's of the world, 
The soothing shadow of her presence falls. 
A stillness, solemn, dread ; a calm, serene 
And blest ; a gift God's own beloved share, 
Comes down from heaven to earth where'er she 

moves. 
Unnumbered weary brows she kindly decks 
With crowns of rest and chaplets of repose, 
Breathing a sweet evangel of God's love 
From the deep purpose of perpetual change. 
So o'er the troubled sea of life she walks, 
Whispering peace, and all the waves grow still. 



JESUS OF NAZARETH PASSES BY. 193 



JESUS OF NAZARETH PASSES BY. 

Bring into the way all the halt and blind, 
The diseased in soul, the troubled in mind ; 
The hearts that are burdened with sin and care, 
The weakened in faith, the feeble in prayer, 
And blossoms of promise that sicken to die, 
For Jesus of Nazareth passes b}\ 

Bring down from the darkened chambers of doubt, 
All t J ic bridegroom lamps, with their lights gone 

out, 
The talents }~ou find under napkins hid, 
The moth-eaten garments of guests who're bid 
To the marriage feast when Time shall die, 
For Jesus of Nazareth passes by. 

Bring out from the charnel-house of Despair 
All the whitened bones that lie mouldering there, 
All the folded hands on the King's highway 
That will not work for a penny a da} T , 
With hearts that wither and know not wh}-, 
For Jesus of Nazareth passes by. 

He is passing now ! Oh, touch but the hem 
Of his flowing robes, there's virtue in them. 
He speaks but the word, and the sobbings cease, 
" Thy sins be forgiven thee, go in peace," 
And onward up Calvary's hill to die, 
Jesus of Nazareth passes by. 



194 THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS. 



.THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS. 

Waiting to fly for the King, 

Waiting to hear him sa}-, 

Speed on thy swiftest wing, 

Help the fainting to pray, 

Teach the weaiy to sing. 

To be doing is to choose higher walks and farther 

seeing, 
To be idle is to lose half the blessedness of being. 

Some are striving with the erring, 

Fallen by the way, 
By their loving whispers stirring 

Hopes that crowned a nobler day, 
Till the prodigal weeps, hearing 

His old mother for him pray. 

Where hunger pinches 

Ha}' after day, 
Where death by inches 

Tears life away ; 
Where the hopes wither, 

And the joys die, 
Thither, oh, thither, 

God's angels fly. 

To back streets where never preacher 
Thinks 'twill pa}' to bend a knee, 

God sends down a noble teacher 
From his higher ministiy. 



THE MINISTRY OF AX GELS. 195 

Where eyes worn with pious weeping, 
Dare not look lest sin should blight, 

God sends holy angels keeping 
Loving watches day and night. 

In God's plan no mind, observing, 
Findeth either great or small ; 

All the angels feel in serving 
Is that Jesus died for all. 

Some fly to the weeping 

With eyes fixed on the wall ; 
Some watch o'er the sleeping, 

That David smite not Saul ; 
"While God himself is keeping 

High watches over all. 

Under the deep blue sea, closing lips of the 

drowned : 
In through the palace gates teaching the newly 
crowned. 
Sword can never shield a nation, 
Art nor science, sermon, song ; 
Nor the strength of education 

Crush the curse that follows wrong ; 
His pure laws who wrought salvation, 
Only maketh nations strong. 

In through the prison cell, 
In through the halls of state, 

In where the white lips tell 
Some one is desolate ; 

Any where, but in hell, 
The angels labor and wait. 



196 LIGHTENED BY LOOKING. 

LIGHTENED BY LOOKING. 

" They looked unto him and were lightened.'" 

As at morn the upturned face 
Feels the sun's inspiring raj^s, 
Wears the gloiy and the glow 
Crowning all the world below, 
So Christ melts the shadows dim 
From the eye that looks on him. 

When his glor}- faintly flamed, 
Prophets looked, were not ashamed, 
And with lightened faces saw 
Jesus shining through the law, 
While faith saving trust did yield 
To a love but half revealed. 

Now the cross is lifted high, 
Look and live : why will ye die ? 
Dawn which cheered the prophets' way 
Melts into the perfect day : 
Life for look doth Jesus give, 
All the world may look and live. 

Look, all ye b} r guilt opprest ! 
Ye who weary seek for rest ! 
Smoking flax nor bruised rush, 
Christ will neither quench nor crush, 
But redeem from sin and death 
All who look on him b}^ faith. 



LANGUAGE OF DAYS. 197 

LANGUAGE OF DAYS. 

" Days should speak." 

Days should speak, and days should tell 
Wisdom deep in rapid flight : 
" Use us wisely, use us well, 

Swiftly conies the solemn night." 

Days should speak, and as they fly 
O'er the toiler and the tomb : 
" Lo ! the end of time is nigh, 

With the thunder crash of doom." 

Days should speak with voice of love 
To the mourner 'neath the rod : 
" There is rest for thee above, 
In the paradise of God." 

Days should speak, and speaking break 
All the bands of them that sleep : 
" To yon fields, awake, awake ! 
For the Master comes to reap." 

Days should speak by setting suns, 

Fading noon and fleeting hours, 
And that stream of death which runs 

Through the cities and the flowers. 

Days should speak, are speaking now, 
Language plain to you and me : 
" There is falling on Time's brow 
Shadows of eternity." 



198 WHAT OF THE NIGHT? 



WHAT OF THE NIGHT? 

Watchman, oh ! what of this dark night of Time ? 
Canst see through the light of the stars that shine, 
A coming of shadows and darkness deep, 
When the saved shall sing and the lost shall weep ? 
Canst hear the sound of the archangel's tread 
As he comes to waken the pious dead? 

I can see the shadows on Time's worn dial, 

'Twill darken its face in a little while ; 

I can hear the voice of the Master say, 

" Behold, I come quickly ! " he ma}' come to-day ; 

But the hour I know not, nor they who wait 

For the Bridegroom to pass the pearly gate. 

Oh ! why should you question about the night ? 
Your garments are stained ; go, wash them white ; 
Let j'our lamps be trimmed, your vessels o'erflow, 
For you cannot buy oil in the night, }~ou know. 
Should darkness come on, and } t ou lose 3-our way, 
You never can reach the portals of day. 

AYatchman, oh ! what of this dark night of sin ? 
Will the clouds never break, and the light roll in ? 
Shall the glorious cross but bless a part 
Of the world now cursed with a sinful heart ? 
Shall a cleansing fountain be opened wide, 
And only a few step into its tide? 



AND YET THE BE IS BOOM. 199 

The morning cometh, a glorious day, 

When the clouds of sin shall vanish away ; 
The nations now sitting in darkness and night 
Shall hear of its brightness and press to its light ; 
The knowledge of Jesus with blood-waves sweep, 
And cover the earth as waters the deep. 

watchman ! come tell us of death's dark night : 
Will the sightless eyes never see the light? 
Will the lips that closed with a cry of pain 
Never speak to the long lost love again? 
And the hands now folded in dreamless rest 
Never feel their grasp who have loved them best ? 

Oh, glorious thought ! the morning will come 
When the lips shall sing that are now so dumb, 
And the pale hands folded o'er hearts so dead 
Fling back the folds of their clay-wrought bed ; 
And the feet so weary when earth was trod 
Shall walk in the weariless land of God. 



AND YET THERE IS ROOM. 

Oh ! come, hea^y-laden, distressed, 

And come whosoever will, 
At Calvary's haven of rest 

There is room for sinners still. 

Oh ! spread the glad tidings abroad, 
Where the sun shall rise and set : 

There is room in the love of God 
For every poor sinner 3-et. 



200 WHAT WILT THOU DO? 

For those who have wandered away, 
For those who have long dela^-ed, 

There is room, there is room to-day, 
At the feast which Christ hath made. 

Oh ! sorrowful, wearied, and poor ; 

Oh ! stained and burdened by sin : 
Wiry linger so long at the door? 

There is room, there is room : come in ! 



WHAT WILT THOU DO IN THE SWELL- 
ING OF JORDAN? 

What wilt thou do when the moan 

Of Jordan round thee rolls, 
Waiting to drift all alone 

Into the land of souls ? 
No Jesus to guide thee on, 

Through gloom and painful strife, 
Far into the peaceful dawn 

Of everlasting life !" 

What wilt thou do when the beat 

Of heart is sad and slow, 
And the cold waves round thy feet 

Come with a swifter flow ? 
No pillar to lean upon 

Wrought out b} r faith and praj^er, 
The sunlight of hope all gone, 

And Jesus is not there ! 



THE TESTIMONY. 201 

RARE KNOWLEDGE. 

" Thou hast known my soul in adversity." 

False is every wind that bloweth ; 

Tears can smile of friendship dim ; 
In adversity God knoweth 

Every heart that trusts in him. 

In prosperit} r we borrow 

Smile from all whom aid we lend ; 
It is in the hour of sorrow 

God comes down to be our friend. 

When we fall b}~ sudden sinning, 
And the vultures sweep in sight, 

Comes the voice of mercy winning 
Us again to truth and right. 

Though the plans we laid deceive us, 
And all trusted friends depart, 

God will never, never leave us 
If his love is in our heart. 



THE TESTIMONY. 

" I will declare what he hath done for my soul." 

O Soul ! what hath the Saviour wrought? 

Be now tlry lips unsealed ! 
It passeth all the bounds of thought, 

Though onty half revealed. 



202 PATIEXT WAITING. 

The prison and the chains are gone, 

The night has fled away, 
And I behold the purple dawn 

Of everlasting day. 

A new light floods the heart and mind, 

Whatever it may be : 
I only know I once was blind, 

But now can plainly see. 

My life from out the lowest dust, 
A Saviour's hand did raise ; 

And in that Saviour now I trust 
And sing that Saviour's praise. 



PATIEXT WAITING. 

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him." 

Rest in the Lord, and wait his time, 
With patient hope, and trust sublime : 
A thousand years do pass away. 
And seem to him but as one day. 

Rest in the Lord, a pathway bright 
He opens through the darkest night, 
And patient hope beholds the dawn 
Of morning ere the night is gone. 

Rest in the Lord all 3-e who bear 
The burdens of depressing care, 
And e3'es with weeping long grown dim, 
Rest, and wait patiently for him. 



WRATH OF GOD AND THE LAMB. 203 

Rest in the Lord : his plans, though vast, 
AVill all be brought to light at last, 
And things now lost in shadows dread 
Will everlasting glories shed. 



WRATH OF GOD AND THE LAMB. 

Oh the wrath of God and the Lamb ! 

Who can bear the terrible weight? 
For the pity of Love it doth damn 

Far more than the scorn of a hate. 
Send the blight of a fiery rain, 

Send the numbing breath of the frost : 
It were lighter far than the pain 

Of knowing that heaven is lost. 

Oh the sight of a wounded baud ! 

The ringing of heavenly bells, 
It illumines a godless land 

With the glare of a thousand hells. 
Could the eye of memoiy close, 

Or the lips of the past grow dumb, 
Then the devil would find repose 

In the gloom of the years to come. 

No hell, did the moralist say, 

No hate in a merciful God ? 
Come flame-waves, and dash me away 

From a wounded Christ for a rod. 
Oh ! is there no ocean of flame, 

No tempest of fire from above, 
To shield from the terrible shame 

Of hating an infinite Love? 



204 IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 

No cavern where spirit may hide 
From the glance of merciful e}-es, 

The rebuke of a wounded side, 
And the music of paradise ? 

Fierce burning would be more a dove- 
Like token of heavenly fate, 

Than to feel that God is all love 
Ruling over a heart of hate. 



IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 

The dust returns to earth again, 

The soul to God on high ; 
Though suns may set and moons ma}' wane, 

A spirit cannot die. 

When death-knell of the rolling years 

By worlds on fire is rung, 
And all that's mortal disappears, 

The soul will still be } T ouug. 

Its springs of life from God arise, — 

Oh soul-refreshing truth ! 
Eternity alone supplies 

The measure of its 3'outh. 



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